Israeli and US aircraft and air defense systems shot down 99% of the drones launched by Iran (Picture Courtesy: ref Reuters)
Mavhungunekuvule Mungomeni
(The Post News) – The US has urged that it won’t be part of Israel’s retaliatory attack on Iran. The announcement from the US White House comes after the Israel Defense Forces vowed that they were going to retaliate against Iran, although Iran issued a warning against any attack coming from Israel.
A senior administration official statement on Sunday, April 15th, said that it told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to think very carefully and strategically about how his forces responded to the unprecedented action, the first direct attack by Iran on the country. The official added that the Biden administration believes Israel got the best of it in the exchange, which began when senior Iranian military commanders were killed at an Iranian consular building in Syria.
A report by Bernd Debusmann highlighted a conversation between Mr. Biden and Mr. Netanyahu that took place at a moment of high tension, just after an attack involving approximately 100 ballistic missiles flying towards Israel. During the call, the two leaders discussed ways to slow down and carefully consider their next move. However, it is unclear whether the White House advised against a significant response, as they only stated that it was a decision for the Israelis to make.
National security spokesman John Kirby repeatedly said, “The US has made it clear to Israel that it seeks to avoid a wider conflict. The US would continue to defend Israel, but it has ruled out participating in any Israeli response. The stance has sparked criticism from some US lawmakers and former officials from both sides of the political spectrum.”
Ohio Republican Representative Mike Turner, who serves as chair of the House Intelligence Committee, said, “Mr. Kirby’s comments about de-escalating the conflict were wrong. It is already escalating, and the administration needs to respond.”
John Bolton, who served as national security adviser under President Donald Trump, said, “The US should join Israel if it chooses to launch a retaliatory attack on Iran’s nuclear program.” I think Israel can destroy or disable a very substantial part of the program, if not totally. Frankly, if Israel is prepared to go after Iran’s nuclear program, the United States should proudly join them.”
Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has announced that there will be another attempt to pass military aid for Israel. Previous efforts to send additional aid have faced obstacles because Democrats are calling for the aid package to also include assistance for Taiwan and Ukraine.
Mick Mulroy, a former Deputy Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, has expressed the importance of providing aid to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan without any delay. According to him, the security assistance provided by the United States is crucial to avoid a major regional war. Mulroy believes that these supplements are necessary for the national security interests of the United States and should not be seen as charity. Rather, they are an integral part of the country’s defense strategy.
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