Netanyahu promises Biden Israel’s strikes on Iran will avoid nuclear facilities

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly assured US President Joe Biden that any forthcoming Israeli attack on Iran will target military infrastructure, rather than sensitive nuclear or oil facilities.

This assurance, revealed by US and Israeli officials, came during a phone call last week between the two leaders.

The phone conversation marks a critical moment in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, which has escalated in recent months following a series of high-profile attacks.

Tensions flared when Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel on October 1, retaliating for the assassinations of senior figures, including Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and a former Hamas leader.

Israel has vowed to respond, but Netanyahu's latest comments indicate that the Israeli counterstrike will be more narrowly focused than initially feared.

During the call, Biden reportedly emphasized the need to avoid strikes on Iranian nuclear and oil sites, warning that such actions could lead to a broader regional escalation and disrupt global oil markets.

This is particularly concerning with the US presidential election approaching on November 5, where any spike in oil prices could have political ramifications for the Biden administration.

Netanyahu, in response, assured Biden that Israel's retaliation would be limited to military targets, seeking to avoid the perception of interfering in US domestic politics.

Despite this moderation, Israel’s leadership remains committed to a robust military response to Iran’s recent missile attacks, which left significant damage across Israeli territory.

The Israeli prime minister's more restrained stance has reportedly factored into Washington's decision to increase its military support for Israel.

On Sunday, the US announced it would deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to Israel, operated by approximately 100 US troops.

This move aims to strengthen Israel's air defenses as tensions with Iran continue to simmer.

While Israel prepares its military response, the conflict in Lebanon and Gaza also continues to escalate. Israeli forces have expanded their operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, where clashes have intensified.

Meanwhile, Israel has resumed airstrikes in northern Gaza, targeting Hamas strongholds, and has issued fresh evacuation orders to civilians in the area, drawing warnings from humanitarian groups about the risk to non-combatants.

Netanyahu’s focus on military targets in Iran appears to signal a desire to keep the conflict contained, even as regional tensions threaten to spill over.

The Biden administration, for its part, remains committed to supporting Israel’s defense but has reiterated its caution against actions that could trigger a wider conflict.

As the situation develops, both sides are walking a fine line between military retaliation and the risk of broader regional destabilization.