Washington DC
The response of Israel to recent Iranian missile attacks is being weighed carefully. A barrage of over 100 missiles was launched by Iran earlier in October, raising the risk of a wider conflict in the Middle East. CIA Director William Burns stated that the potential for unintended escalation is a serious concern.
Burns indicated that both Iran and Israel do not seem to want an all-out war. He noted that Israel is assessing how to respond to the missile strikes but did not speculate on the possible form of retaliation.
US President Joe Biden has expressed that he will not support Israel’s attack on Iranian nuclear sites. However, it remains uncertain if Israel has been convinced to avoid this option. Concerns are growing about the impact of a potential strike on Iranian oil facilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised repercussions for the attackers during an address marking the anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
Burns also mentioned that Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, remains the key decision-maker, with no significant change in tone detected. Hope was expressed for a potential agreement between Israel and Hamas to release hostages, though this has faced significant challenges. The US continues to reaffirm its support for Israel’s defense efforts.
