Biden, Netanyahu expected to discuss possible military response to Iran

Amid escalating regional tensions between Iran and Israel, US President Joe Biden is expected to hold a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss military options available to deter growing Iranian threats.

This call comes at a sensitive time, as Israel seeks to formulate strategies to ensure its security in the face of the growing Iranian threat, particularly with regard to Iran’s development of its nuclear program and increasing its regional influence through supporting armed groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and factions in Syria and Iraq.

Israel, which sees itself in an existential conflict with Iran, is taking a tougher stance compared to the United States. It believes that any leniency in the face of Iran’s nuclear program could endanger its security, especially in light of the ongoing attacks on Israeli interests in the region. Recent attacks attributed to Iran or its affiliated groups in Syria and Iraq have strengthened Israel’s determination to move quickly to deter Tehran.

One of the strategies being considered by Netanyahu and his government includes implementing a combination of airstrikes and covert operations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and missile-related infrastructure. These operations are expected to be targeted to avoid a full-scale military escalation, but the full details of the plan have not yet been shared with Washington, making this call pivotal to defining the red lines within which Israel can operate.

For its part, the US administration is in a complex situation, trying to strike a balance between supporting its close ally, Israel, and avoiding excessive escalation that could lead to widespread regional unrest. While the US stresses the need for diplomatic solutions in dealing with Iran, the possibility of military intervention remains present, especially if the diplomatic talks on the Iranian nuclear deal continue to stall.

But things are not that easy. Israel does not want its message to be understood as a mere show of force, but rather seeks to ensure that Biden understands the seriousness of the situation and the possibility of taking actual steps. What is happening behind the scenes between the two sides indicates major diplomatic and security challenges, as the discussion is not limited to targeting nuclear facilities, but extends to the potential effects of any military strike on the regional and international situation. Any attack on Iran could lead to a violent response, whether from Iran itself or through its regional proxies such as Hezbollah.

This anticipated dialogue between Biden and Netanyahu could set the tone for future US-Israeli relations in dealing with the Iranian threat. While Israel seeks unlimited support from Washington, the latter is wary of getting involved in a confrontation that could escalate into a full-scale war.