Israeli official: No decision on Iran attack; Israel, US in tune on strategic challenges
Cabinet takes no definitive 'big decisions' on avenging missile barrage; Gallant's US trip still on hold; Tehran said to threaten West's Arab allies if they assist Israeli strike
The security cabinet met Thursday night to discuss a potential Israeli response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on the country last week. Still, no major decision was made, as coordination on the matter continues between Jerusalem and Washington, an Israeli official said.
“There were no big decisions” made by ministers, an Israeli source told The Times of Israel, adding “There is a desire from the Israelis to coordinate with the Americans” over the response, and that strategic discussions continue between the sides.
Contrary to media reports ahead of the meeting, the cabinet was not asked to authorize Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to decide on a response, Channel 12 news said. Ministers may be asked to approve such a measure over the phone if necessary.
The Prime Minister’s Office also told The Times of Israel that Gallant’s trip to the US to discuss Israel’s response has yet to be approved, amid expectations he would travel next week to discuss the issue with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon.
Netanyahu earlier this week blocked a planned trip by Gallant to Washington at the last minute, demanding to first speak to US President Joe Biden about what Israel is looking to do against Iran — a call that was held on Wednesday. But he was also said to condition the trip on the cabinet first approving a response to Iran.
The region has been tensely awaiting a promised Israeli reprisal for an October 1 massive ballistic missile attack by Iran, with Washington attempting to coordinate and temper Israel’s reaction. Jerusalem has pledged a significant retaliation, but Biden — who directed US forces to help thwart the Iranian attack — has expressed opposition to targeting Iran’s nuclear or oil production sites.
Gulf states said shuttering airspace to action against Iran
Amid the coordination efforts and disagreements, the US and Israel are generally on the same page regarding strategic challenges in the Middle East following Netanyahu and Biden’s phone call, an Israeli source familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel.
The talk was described as “positive” by both the White House and the Prime Minister’s Office, despite the US president having long been frustrated with Netanyahu’s handling of the war in Gaza and more recently the fighting in Lebanon, lamenting his lack of a clearly defined strategy for how to draw the conflicts to a close.
On Iran, a US official quoted by Axios said the allies “are moving in the right direction” following the call, although an Israeli official cited by the outlet said the US still thinks Israel’s plans are too aggressive.
Among the challenges of an aggressive response is the potential for tit-for-tat strikes that will draw in other Middle Eastern countries. Tehran has threatened Western-backed Arab states that it will attack them next if an Israeli-US retaliatory action against Iran goes through their territory or airspace, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, citing Arab officials.
The threats, described as vague, have been issued via backchannels to Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, raising concerns that Iran could attack key oil infrastructure, the paper reported.
Saudi Arabia in particular has been wary of an Iranian strike on its oil plants since a 2019 attack on its Aramco oilfield shut down over 5 percent of global oil supply. Iran denied involvement.
The countries, all of which host US military bases, have informed Washington that they would not allow their airspace or facilities in their territory to be used for Israeli or American military action against Iran, according to the report.
Gulf states are also lobbying Washington to stop Israel from attacking Iran’s oil sites because they are concerned their own oil facilities could come under fire from Tehran’s proxies if the conflict escalates, the report said.
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