The US does not intend to take part in any potential retaliatory strike on Tehran on West Jerusalem’s behalf, unnamed officials told the outlet
The US will not help Israel retaliate in the wake of Iran’s missile and drone attack by launching offensive military operations, Biden administration officials have been privately warning, according to ABC News.
Israel has promised a “response” following the massive Iranian strike on the country over the weekend, which West Jerusalem said involved more than 300 drones and missiles. Iran said the attack was a reprisal for the bombing of its consulate in Damascus, Syria earlier this month, which cost the lives of several senior Iranian military personnel.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that they shot down the vast majority of the incoming projectiles, with help from the US, UK, France, Jordan, and others.
Shortly after Iran’s attack ended, a senior US administration official reportedly told journalists that the White House believes Israel “has freedom of action to protect itself and defend itself.”
“That’s a long-standing policy, and that remains,” the official reportedly said.
However, when asked if the US would help Israel counter with offensive military operations, that official said there was no such plan.
“We would not envision ourselves participating in such a thing,” the person said.