NEWSLINE PAPER,- Amid escalating Middle Eastern tensions, President Joe Biden reiterated US backing for Israel in the face of worries about possible retaliation from Iran following a recent attack that killed prominent Iranians.
With tensions rising over possible reprisals from Tehran after Israel struck the Iranian embassy in Syria, President Biden underlined America's dedication to Israel's security.
President Biden reaffirmed US position and promised to take all required steps to protect Israel from threats presented by Iran and its allies at a press conference at the White House with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
Tensions in the area were raised by the recent attack on the Iranian consulate building in Damascus, which claimed the lives of thirteen people, including senior Iranian military officers. Though it hasn't stated so directly, most people think Israel is to blame for the attack.
The attack was denounced by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who compared it to an invasion of Iranian soil and promised to exact revenge on the "evil regime" in charge.
President Biden's assurances to Israel coincide with mounting criticism directed at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's management of the situation, especially in Gaza. The Biden administration has demanded for a regional truce and stated disapproval of Netanyahu's strategy.
Recent days have seen clear tensions between the US and Israel, as President Biden publicly criticized Netanyahu's war plan and voiced dissatisfaction with the continuous violence in Gaza.
US officials have been interacting with regional partners to try and defuse tensions; among them is Brett McGurk, the senior Middle East counselor to President Biden. They have urged caution and diplomatic solutions. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Iraq have started diplomatic initiatives to communicate to Iran the de-escalation message.
Diplomatic initiatives notwithstanding, the situation is still tense and both sides are suffering more and more losses. Since the fighting began, the Gaza Strip has suffered tremendous destruction and thousands of people have died—mostly civilians.
President Biden's administration is still juggling the difficult task of defending Israel's security interests while still pushing for diplomatic solutions to the region's continuous turmoil.