Israel has not clarified its intention to target Iran’s nuclear facilities in response to Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Tuesday earlier this week. This is as vague as it can be. A top US State Department official told CNN on Friday it is “really difficult to tell” whether Israel will use the anniversary of Hamas’ October 7 attack to retaliate.
Asked by CNN whether Israel has assured the United States that Iran’s nuclear sites are out of the negotiations, the official said, “We hope and expect that we will see some intelligence and strength, but as you guys know. Yes, there is no guarantee.”
“I think in some ways they would want to avoid the seventh, so in my estimation, if anything, it would be before or after,” the senior State Department official said.
Iran fired 181 ballistic missiles at Israel on Tuesday night, setting off air raid sirens across the country and forcing about 10 million Israelis into bomb shelters. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for the missile attack targeting three Israeli military bases near Tel Aviv.
Although most missiles were intercepted, there were sporadic reports of damage and injuries. Two civilians were slightly injured by shrapnel in Tel Aviv, while a Palestinian civilian was killed by missile debris in the West Bank city of Jericho, news agency AFP reported. The Israeli military immediately announced that the immediate danger had passed, and civilians were allowed to leave the bomb shelters after an hour.
US officials have expressed support for Israel and its response to Iran’s missile attack earlier this week. Matthews said, “Israel has the right to defend itself, as any country does. In terms of Israel’s response, of course, Iran will have to face consequences for this attack. We have made clear that There will definitely be consequences.” Miller, spokesperson, US State Department, during a press conference.
President Joe Biden opposed the idea of Israel targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities.
“If I were him, I would be thinking about other options besides attacking the oil fields,” Biden said at a press conference on Friday.