Biden ‘discussing’ possible Israeli strikes on Iran oil facilities
US President Joe Biden has said he is discussing possible Israeli strikes on Iranian oil sites in response to Tehran’s missile barrage on Israel.
The brief comment came after he was asked by reporters at the White House if he supported Israel striking Iran’s oil facilities. This comes despite Iran’s warning that any Israeli attack would meet an “unconventional response” that includes targeting Israeli infrastructure.
After Biden’s remarks, oil prices soared, with WTI, the US contract, rising as much as 5 percent before paring back some gains to sit at about $73 per barrel, while Brent, the international benchmark, rose about 4 percent to $76.81.
Earlier, Biden said he did not expect Israel to strike Iran today.
Tehran’s patience is being tested by Israel
Tohid Asadi, a writer and specialist in Iranian affairs, tells Al Jazeera that Iranian officials are making “double-edged statements”. On the one hand, they claim they are not “warmongers”, and at the same time, they are saying, “we are not afraid of war”.
Asadi explained that this means if Israel demonstrates aggression towards Iran, there will be “tough consequences”. He said the message from Tehran is clear, that its patience has reached a limit.
He said Tehran is still seeking de-escalation, but if Israel “decides to continue this insatiable desire to expand the battlefield, there is going to be [a] crushing response”.
Further escalation could have ‘significant economic ramifications’: IMF
Julie Kozack, spokesperson for the International Monetary Fund, says the UN’s financial agency is closely monitoring the situation in southern Lebanon with “grave concern”, offering condolences for the loss of lives in Israeli attacks.
“The potential for further escalation of the conflict heightens risks and uncertainty and could have significant economic ramifications for the region and beyond,” she said.
Iran warns other countries to “refrain from entangling themselves”
The Iranian mission to the United Nations has sent out a new statement about its conflict with Israel.
It reads: “Our response will be solely directed at the aggressor. Should any country render assistance to the aggressor, it should likewise be deemed an accomplice and a legitimate target. We advise countries to refrain from entangling themselves in the conflict between the Israeli regime and Iran and to distance themselves from the fray.”
This comes about 24 hours after an important Security Council meeting that took place on Wednesday morning that lasted nearly three hours.
In that meeting, the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations, Amir Saied Iravani, sort of hinted or foreshadowed what we are hearing today. He said that the Iranian attack on Israel was self-defence in line with Article 51 of the UN charter.
He told the Security Council in open forum 24 hours ago, “Iran is fully prepared to take further defensive measures if necessary.”
