October 9, 2024 | Flash Brief

Biden and Netanyahu Speak as Israel Prepares Iran Response

October 9, 2024 | Flash Brief

Biden and Netanyahu Speak as Israel Prepares Iran Response

Latest Developments

Anticipating an Israeli retaliation against Iran for its October 1 missile barrage against Israel, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 9. According to a White House readout of the call, the sole mention of Iran was restricted to Biden’s condemnation of the Islamic Republic’s latest attack. The president then reiterated his support for diplomatic resolutions to both the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where 101 Israeli hostages still languish in Hamas captivity, and the escalating war in Lebanon between Israel and Iran’s proxy terrorist organization Hezbollah. The readout concluded by noting that Biden and Netanyahu “agreed to remain in close contact over the coming days both directly and through their national security teams.” Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken also joined the call. Biden and Netanyahu last spoke on August 21.

While condemning Iran’s attack and supporting a proportionate response, the White House has opposed an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear and oil facilities. Despite the overall U.S. support for Israel, the relationship between Netanyahu and Biden has been tense during the year of war that followed the October 7, 2023, Hamas atrocities in southern Israel. In a forthcoming book by The Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward, Biden is described as privately expressing his irritation with Netanyahu personally and with Israel’s war strategy. According to Woodward, Biden reportedly told his advisors that Netanyahu and most of the people working for him were “liars.” According to an October 8 Axios report citing four U.S. officials, the Biden administration’s “trust of the Israelis is very low right now” after several incidents in which Israel allegedly carried out operations without giving the White House enough prior notice. However, according to a U.S. official familiar with the phone call, members of the Biden administration were relatively satisfied with the level of detail the Israelis shared and their receptiveness to U.S. concerns about strikes on nuclear or oil sites.

Expert Analysis

“President Biden has given explicit assurances in written pledges to the Israelis that he will use all elements of American power to ensure that the Islamic Republic doesn’t obtain nuclear weapons. But now we see him trying to limit Israel’s ability to act decisively by opposing strikes on nuclear facilities as well as oil fields. This sends a message to American allies and adversaries that we won’t honor our security pledges and that we’ll block our allies from defending their own security.” Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“It is clear that the U.S. administration has felt caught off guard and unprepared for Israeli direct action against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and other terror threats. U.S. Central Command chief Gen. Erik Kurilla’s recent visit to Israel was a clear sign of a U.S. desire to shape Israel’s future actions against Iran. The conversation is not likely to deter Israel from striking Iran. Israel knows it has an intelligence advantage against Iran at the moment and should use it to the greatest result possible.” — Tyler Stapleton, FDD Action Director of Congressional Relations

Biden Supports Proportionate Israeli Response to Iranian Missile Attack,” FDD Flash Brief

Iran Escalates Multi-Front Assault on Israel as Missiles Rain on Jewish State,” FDD Flash Brief

The threat of all-out Middle East war looms: two scenarios,” by Mark Dubowitz

Issues:

Issues:

Hezbollah Iran Iran Global Threat Network Iran Missiles Israel Israel at War Military and Political Power

Topics:

Topics:

Antony Blinken Benjamin Netanyahu Foundation for Defense of Democracies Gaza City Hamas Hezbollah Houthi movement Iran Islamic republic Israel Joe Biden Lebanon Mark Dubowitz Middle East United States White House