US President Joe Biden revealed that he is in talks about potential Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities, a statement that caused oil prices to surge on Thursday, just a month before the US presidential election.
Biden clarified to reporters at the White House that he does not anticipate Israel taking any retaliatory actions against Tehran's missile attack on Israel prior to Thursday. When questioned by a reporter about his stance on Israel targeting Iran's oil facilities, Biden responded, "We're discussing that. I think that would be a little... anyway."
Oil prices surged by five percent due to concerns over the Middle East following Biden's remarks. An increase in oil prices could significantly impact Biden's Vice President, Kamala Harris, as the Democrat faces off against Republican former president Donald Trump in the November 5 election, where the cost of living is a key issue.
Biden assured that he does not foresee any immediate actions from Israel, despite Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent disregard for calls for restraint as he focuses on the Iran-allied Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. "First of all, we don't 'allow' Israel, we advise Israel. And there is nothing going to happen today," Biden stated when asked if he would permit Israel to retaliate against Iran.
On Wednesday, Biden had already made it clear that he would not support Israel attacking Iranian nuclear sites. Iran launched approximately 200 rockets in a direct missile attack on Israel on Tuesday, leading Netanyahu to warn Tehran that it would face consequences. Iran claimed the attack was in response to the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has been firing rockets at Israel since shortly after the October 7, 2023 attacks by Iran's Palestinian ally Hamas on Israel, followed by Israel's intense retaliatory offensive in Gaza.
