Israel has reaffirmed that while it values its alliance with the United States, it will ultimately make decisions based on its national interests. This was stated in a release from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Tuesday, following reports suggesting that Israel might be preparing limited strikes on Iranian military targets.
The Washington Post reported that Netanyahu assured US President Joe Biden that Israel’s planned strikes would not include Iran’s oil or nuclear facilities, in order to avoid escalating the conflict further. Tensions have been high in the region following Iran’s October 1 missile barrage on Israel, which raised fears of a broader war.
Though Biden has warned against an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, citing concerns about global oil prices and potential US involvement, Israel has made it clear that it will act according to its own strategic priorities. Netanyahu’s office reiterated, “We listen to the opinions of the US, but we will make our final decisions based on our national interests.”
Israel has also informed the US that it plans to conclude its operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon in the coming weeks, signaling a careful balance between maintaining regional security and managing its critical relationship with the US.
