Biden seeks to avoid wider war in West Asia

US TO ISRAEL: Successful defence of Iranian strikes a major win, no need for further retaliation IRAN SIGNALS readiness to stand down after retaliation for strike on consulate in Syria PRESSURE TO FIRE BACK strong in Israel amid feeling that Iranian action crossed ‘red line’

PRESIDENT BIDEN and his team, hoping to avoid further escalation leading to a wider war in the Middle East, are advising Israel that its successful defense against Iranian airstrikes constituted a major strategic victory that might not require another round of retaliation, US officials said.

The interception of nearly all of the more than 300 drones and missiles fired against Israel on Saturday night demonstrated that Israel had come out ahead in its confrontation with Iran and proved to enemies its ability to protect itself along with its American allies, meaning it did not necessarily need to fire back, the officials said.

Whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government will agree to leave it at that was not immediately clear. The scope of the strikes went well beyond the smallbore tit-for-tat shadow war between Iran and Israel in recent years, crossing a red line by firing weapons from Iranian territory into Israeli territory. Had defenses not held, scores or hundreds could have been killed.

Emotions were running high among Israeli officials during phone calls with American partners late into the night, and the pressure to fire back was consequently strong. The US officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive discussions, stressed that the decision was ultimately up to Israel.

Biden spoke with Netanyahu on Saturday after the Iranian attack and repeated his “ironclad commitment” to Israel’s security. While the president did not publicly disclose any advice he offered, in a statement released after

the call, he hinted at a desire for restraint.

“I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks — sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel,” Biden said.

American and Israeli officials spent the past few days coordinating operations in case Iran did act. Even though Iran did little tangible damage, it signaled after Saturday night’s strike that it was ready to stand down.

“The matter can be deemed concluded,” the Iranian mission to the United Nations said in a statement. “However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe. It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the US MUST STAY AWAY!”