President Joe Biden warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the U.S. will not take part in a counter-offensive against Iran, an option that Netanyahu’s war cabinet favors after a mass drone and missile attack on Israeli territory, according to officials.

The threat of open warfare erupting between the arch Middle East foes and dragging in the United States has put the region on edge, triggering calls for restraint from global powers and Arab nations to avoid further escalation.

The U.S. will continue to help Israel defend itself but does not want war, John Kirby, the White House’s top national security spokesperson, told ABC’s “This Week” program on Sunday.

Jordan’s King Abdullah told Biden in a phone call on Sunday that any further escalation from Israel would widen the conflict in the region, Jordanian state media reported.

    • JeromeVancouver@lemmy.ca
      182·
      3 months ago

      The U.S. will continue to help Israel defend itself but does not want war, John Kirby, the White House’s top national security spokesperson, told ABC’s “This Week” program on Sunday

        • sudo@programming.dev
          14·
          3 months ago

          We can stipulate that they are for “defensive purposes only”. Like we did for Saudi Arabia in Yemen.

          • halcyoncmdr@lemmy.worldEnglish
            131·
            3 months ago

            And when they violate that agreement will we do anything about it? No, we won’t, not with Israel. They’re just meaningless platitudes with the Israelis.