Biden refuses to support Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear sites

US President Joe Biden has firmly stated that he will not support an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, even as Tel Aviv contemplates its next move following Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel.

Biden's response comes in reaction to Iran's launch of more than 180 ballistic missiles on Israel, which took place two days ago.

During a press briefing, Biden reiterated the US's commitment to Israel's security but stressed the need for a "proportional" response to prevent further escalation.

He emphasised that any attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities could lead to catastrophic consequences across the Middle East.

"We’ll be discussing with the Israelis what they’re going to do, but all seven of us (G7 nations) agree they have a right to respond, but they should respond proportionally," Biden said before boarding Air Force One.

The missile strike by Iran came in retaliation for the deaths of two key regional leaders, Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah’s Hassan Nasrallah.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched the missile barrage in retaliation, leading to heightened tensions in the already volatile region.

The Israeli military confirmed that most of the missiles were intercepted by its defence systems, but damage was reported near several airbases.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that Iran will face severe consequences for its actions.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett had earlier on Wednesday called for a decisive attack to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities after Tehran's strikes on Israel.

"We must act now to destroy Iran's nuclear program, its central energy facilities, and to fatally cripple this terrorist regime," Bennett wrote on X.

Israeli officials have been in talks with their US counterparts to discuss potential military responses, including strikes on Iranian oil facilities and military bases.

However, Biden's administration is urging Israel to avoid targeting Iran's nuclear sites, warning that such an escalation could draw US forces into the conflict and push Iran towards developing nuclear weapons.

Amid these rising tensions, Israel faces conflicts on multiple fronts. It continues to engage in combat with Hamas in Gaza, while also dealing with Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon.

On Wednesday, eight Israeli soldiers were killed during clashes with Hezbollah, marking the deadliest day of border skirmishes between the two in over a year.

In response, the Israeli military has increased its presence along the Lebanese border and launched ground incursions aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s infrastructure.

Israel's actions have led to heavy casualties in Lebanon, including 46 people killed in southern Beirut due to airstrikes over the past 24 hours.

The US, along with other members of the G7, has agreed to impose additional sanctions on Iran in response to the missile attack.

Biden confirmed that these economic measures would be implemented soon. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for de-escalation, warning that the region is on a "knife’s edge" and that further conflict could have devastating consequences.

Despite the pressure for a measured response, Israel’s military leadership has made clear that they have the capability to strike anywhere in the Middle East.

Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Israel’s chief of staff, warned that Israel’s enemies would soon understand the full extent of its military capabilities.

As tensions continue to rise, the US is working to balance its support for Israel with efforts to avoid being drawn into a broader regional war.

Biden’s administration is particularly concerned about Iran’s nuclear program, which has been rapidly advancing since the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal under the Trump administration.

Although Iran insists it is not seeking a nuclear weapon, its uranium enrichment program has significantly reduced the time needed to produce weapons-grade material, raising alarms across the international community.

While Israel contemplates its next steps, the global community watches closely, fearing that any misstep could ignite a larger conflict in the Middle East.