Israel has assured the White House that its planned retaliation against Iran will not target nuclear or oil facilities, according to reports from US media.
The pledge comes as Israel prepares a counterstrike after Iran launched ballistic missiles at its territory on October 1, in response to Israel’s targeted killing of Iranian military leaders in the region, including a general in Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Citing unnamed US officials, The Washington Post reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reassured the Biden administration that any retaliatory action would focus solely on military targets.
The Wall Street Journal, also quoting anonymous US sources, confirmed that this assurance was conveyed during a call between US President Joe Biden and Netanyahu last week, as well as in recent discussions between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The plan was met with relief in Washington, according to The Washington Post, as the US is keen to prevent further escalation in the region. President Biden has warned Israel against hitting Iran’s nuclear or oil facilities, fearing it could widen the conflict and cause a surge in global energy prices.
This would mark Iran’s second direct attack on Israel this year, following missile and drone strikes in April. These strikes were carried out in retaliation for an air raid on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, which has been attributed to Israel.