Netanyahu tells U.S. that Israel will strike Iranian military, not nuclear or oil, targets, officials say

 

Netanyahu tells U.S. that Israel will strike Iranian military, not nuclear or oil, targets, officials say

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the Biden administration he is willing to strike military rather than oil or nuclear facilities in Iran, according to two officials familiar with the matter, suggesting a more limited counterstrike aimed at preventing a full-scale war.

In the two weeks since Iran’s latest missile barrage on Israel, its second direct attack in six months, the Middle East has braced for Israel’s promised response, fearing the two countries’ decades-long shadow war could explode into a head-on military confrontation. It comes at a politically fraught time for Washington, less than a month before the election, and President Joe Biden has said publicly he would not support an Israeli strike on nuclear-related sites.

When Biden and Netanyahu spoke Wednesday — their first call in more than seven weeks after months of rising tensions between the two men — the prime minister said he was planning to target military infrastructure in Iran, according to a U.S. official and an official familiar with the matter. Like others in this story, they spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive deliberations.

The Israeli prime minister’s office did not reply to a request for comment. The White House had no immediate comment. — WAPO

Our Take: The retaliatory action would be calibrated to avoid the perception of “political interference in the U.S. elections,” the official familiar with the matter said, signaling Netanyahu’s understanding that the scope of the Israeli strike has the potential to reshape the presidential race.

Uh huh. Because Netanyahu knows that once daddy gets home, his afternoon of terrorizing the neighborhood comes to an end.

Let's get real, though: This has very little to do with the White House and their ability to impose themselves on Tel Aviv. This has everything to do with the threats that both Russia and China have issued regarding the targeting of nuclear or oil-related sites in Iran.

In the past year, China has become Iran's #1 oil customer, and Iran has become China's primary supplier. Last week, China also inked a deal with the Crown Prince, becoming the #1 purchaser of Saudi oil, as well.

The Israeli strike on Iran would be carried out before the U.S. elections on Nov. 5, the official familiar with the matter said, because a lack of action could be interpreted by Iran as a sign of weakness. “It will be one in a series of responses,” she said. Zohar Palti, a former intelligence director for Mossad, said Netanyahu would need to balance Washington’s appeals for moderation with the public demand in Israel for an overwhelming response.

A sign of weakness? Hey, newsflash: Israel cannot be defended against Iran's missile technology. If Iran wants to destroy Israel, it has the means to do it, without the use of a nuclear weapon. This has already been demonstrated, with incredible precision. Are we certain the public actually wants more escalation?

Netanyahu knows this, too, which is likely why he was shaking like a frightened milk maid when delivering his public address after Iran's very measured attack.

So what's the play here, guys? Another round of slap-tickle fights?

I think Iran is more than okay with that plan. They have time on their hands, as with each passing day, the world sours more on Israel's aggression toward its neighbors. Just yesterday, video and images circulated showing a refugee tent-city in Gaza that was firebombed by the IDF. Civilians were filmed burning alive in their beds, as Israel's supporters mocked them online. (Truly disgusting behavior that I've witnessed throughout the course of this conflict. Godless hubris.)

First France, and now Spain, has called for a weapons embargo on Israel, until a ceasefire is reached. Over the weekend, Jordan— the Arab neighbor that has protected Israel from missiles and kept it fed with a land-bridge through Saudi Arabia, despite having a population that is two-thirds Palestinian— joined the calls for a weapons embargo.

I expect this trend to continue. Soon, Netanyahu will have succeeded in completely isolating Israel, politically. And that, I suspect, is when Netanyahu will reach his most dangerous form. — GhostofBasedPatrickHenry