US tells Israel to 'think carefully' on Iran response
By Bernd Debusmann Jr
Joe Biden “made it very clear” to Israel that he hopes to de-escalate tensions after Iran’s attack, according to senior administration officials.
Over 300 drones and missiles were fired at Israel overnight, which Iran said was in response to an 1 April strike on its consulate in Syria.
Almost all weapons were shot down by Israeli, US and allied forces before they reached their targets.
Officials say the US will not participate in any Israeli response.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, a senior administration official said that Mr Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “think very carefully and strategically” about his response to the attack.
The official added that the Biden administration believes Israel “got the best of it” in the exchange, which began when senior Iranian military commanders were killed at an Iranian consular building in Syria.
About 99% of the missiles, drones and cruise missiles launched during Iran’s retaliatory operation were shot down or intercepted – which US officials point to as a sign of Israeli military superiority over Iran.
US aircraft and naval vessels shot down dozens of Iranian projectiles as the attack took place. Some 70 drones and several ballistic missiles were downed by US aircraft and vessels or by air defence forces over Iraq.
