‘Hard To Tell’: Israel Weighs Bid To Target Iran’s Nuclear Facilities As US Fears All-Out War In Middle East

Israel has not yet assured the United States that it will avoid targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities in response to recent Iranian missile strikes, a senior State Department official told CNN on Friday, ahead of the first anniversary of Hamas’s October 7 attacks.

“It is really hard to tell,” the official said when asked about Israel’s potential actions. U.S. officials have expressed support for Israel’s right to respond to Iran’s missile attacks. President Joe Biden earlier this week said that the US would not endorse an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear program, suggesting that if he were in Israel’s position, he would consider alternatives to targeting oil fields.

To Strike Or Not To Strike

Later on Friday, the outgoing US President advised Israel against striking Iran’s oil facilities, saying he was trying to rally the world to avoid the escalating prospect of all-out war in the Middle East. During a surprise first appearance in the White House briefing room, Biden said that Netanyahu “should remember” US support for Israel when deciding on next steps.

“If I were in their shoes, I’d be thinking about other alternatives than striking oil fields,” Biden told reporters, when asked about his comments a day earlier that Washington was discussing the possibility of such strikes with its ally. Biden added that the Israelis “have not concluded how they’re, what they’re going to do” in retaliation for a huge ballistic missile attack by Iran on Israel on Tuesday.

Retaliation on October 7?

The senior US State Department official indicated that while communication with Israeli counterparts is ongoing, including discussions occurring “12 hours a day,” clarity on Israel’s response timeline is lacking. The official suggested that Israel might prefer to avoid retaliating on the anniversary of the Hamas attack, as such actions could overshadow the day’s significance.

This report comes as Netanyahu has vowed a strong reaction to Iran’s missile barrage, which involved approximately 180 missiles aimed at Israel. While many were intercepted, some struck civilian areas and military installations, prompting calls for retaliation from Israeli officials. Anticipating a strong response from Israel, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that it may target Israel’s oil refineries and gas fields.

Iran On The Edge

Ali Fadavi, deputy commander of the IRGC, warned Tel Aviv that the Corps could strike Israel’s three power plants and oil refineries if the former attempts to make the mistake of attacking. “If Israel makes a mistake – all of its energy facilities, refineries and gas fields will be hit. Iran is a large country with many economic centers, while Israel has 3 power plants and several refineries, and we can hit them at the same time,” he said.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araqchi, who visited Beirut amid the war-like situation in Lebanon, promised a tougher retaliatory response against Israel. “Iran does not plan to continue attacks, but if Israel takes any action against Tehran, the response will be tougher,” he said.

(With agency inputs)