US President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to discuss Israel’s planned retaliation against Iran following Tehran’s recent missile strike. The phone conversation marked their first known contact since August, coinciding with heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as the ongoing conflicts with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
The call comes as Israel prepares a response to the missile attack carried out by Iran last week in retaliation for Israeli military actions in Lebanon. Although the Iranian strike caused no casualties, it has raised fears of a broader conflict that could draw in the US and disrupt the Middle East.
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Netanyahu has vowed that Iran will “pay” for the missile strike, while Tehran has warned that any Israeli retaliation would lead to massive destruction. Both leaders are under pressure, with Biden aiming to influence Israel’s planned response amid escalating violence in the region.
The White House did not comment on the details of the conversation, but reports indicate that US Vice President Kamala Harris joined the call as well. The discussions are also expected to address the ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon, where the humanitarian crises have worsened, displacing millions and causing thousands of casualties.
Biden’s relationship with Netanyahu has been tense, especially over the Israeli leader’s handling of the Gaza war, which has led to significant Palestinian and Lebanese casualties. As Israel weighs its next steps, Biden has publicly advised against strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and oil fields.