President Joe Biden is set to hold a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, focusing on potential military actions against Iran, according to Axios. This will be the first conversation between the two leaders since August and comes as Israel considers significant military strikes that could escalate regional tensions.
US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that the call aims to establish parameters for Israel’s military response. One official noted the desire to ensure that any attacks on Iranian targets are significant but not disproportionate. Additionally, the leaders are expected to discuss the ongoing conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Biden previously expressed intentions to communicate with Netanyahu to prevent a full-scale war in the Middle East, although the call was delayed. When asked about the conversation last week, Biden mentioned there had been “no action going on right now.”
In related news, the Pentagon announced that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has canceled his planned visit to Washington, where he was scheduled to meet with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Furthermore, Biden has also withdrawn from talks with leaders from the US, UK, France, and Germany concerning the Middle East and Ukraine to focus on the response to Hurricane Milton.
