Israel to Act Based on National Interest in Response to Iranian Missile Attack

Utebor Paul, Nigeria

The office of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, stated that while Israel will consider the opinion of the United States, it will act in response to Iran’s missile attack based on its own “national interests.”

US President Joe Biden had warned Israel against striking Iran’s nuclear or oil facilities to avoid further escalation in the region. Concerns have also been raised regarding the impact on global energy prices if the conflict intensifies.

A report by The Washington Post, citing unnamed US officials, claimed that Netanyahu had assured the White House that any Israeli counterstrike would be limited to military sites.

Additionally, The Wall Street Journal reported that this assurance was made during a call last week between Netanyahu and Biden, and in conversations between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

However, Prime Minister Netanyahu has dismissed these reports, insisting that Israel’s actions will prioritize its own security.

“We listen to the opinions of the United States, but we will make our final decisions based on our national interest,” Netanyahu’s office stated.

Tensions escalated after Iran launched about 200 missiles at Israel on October 1, in retaliation for an Israeli strike in Beirut that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian General Abbas Nilforoushan.

In response, Israel has vowed to retaliate, with Defense Minister Gallant warning that Israel’s response would be “deadly, precise, and surprising.