 "Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian gives a joint press conference with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, in Doha on October 2, 2024. AFP")
Moments after President Joe Biden said he was discussing possible Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities, Iran on Thursday warned US that a large Israeli strike will lead to attacks on Israeli infrastructure and “any country that aids such an attack will be deemed an Iranian target”.
In a statement issued by Iran’s mission at the UN in New York, Iran said, “Should any country render assistance to the aggressor, it shall 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.”
Iran emphasised that messages to “aggressors” will only be communicated through Swiss diplomats, who are responsible for relaying Iranian messages to the US. There have been assertions that Iran was utilizing Qatar as an intermediary with the US.
Earlier in the day, Biden said he was discussing possible Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities when he was asked by reporters at White House if he supported such a move.
“We’re discussing that. I think that would be a little… anyway,” said Biden.
Biden also said he does not expect Israel to retaliate against Tehran’s missile barrage before at least Thursday.
Following his comments, oil prices surged by 5 per cent amid rising concerns about the Middle East.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsA rise in oil prices could be hugely damaging for Biden’s Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democrat confronts Republican former president Donald Trump in a November 5 election where the cost of living is a major issue.
Biden said he did not expect any immediate action from Israel - even if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently paid little heed to calls for restraint as he targets 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,” AFP quoted Biden as telling reporters when asked if he would allow Israel to retaliate against Iran.
On Wednesday, Biden said that he would not back Israel attacking Iranian nuclear sites even as Israel’s security cabinet agreed to respond “forcefully” to Iran’s missile attack.
When asked whether he would back strikes against Iranian nuclear sites, AFP quoted Biden as saying, “The answer is no.”
“We’ll be discussing with the Israelis what they’re going to do,” he said, adding that all G7 members agree Israel has “a right to respond, but they should respond in proportion.”
Biden also said that there would be more sanctions imposed on Iran and said he would speak “relatively soon” with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Iran in turn said it would launch an even bigger attack if Israel makes good on its pledge.
“If it (Israel) wants to react, we will have a stronger response, this is what the Islamic Republic is committed to,” Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a joint press conference with Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in Doha on Wednesday.
“We are not looking for war, it is Israel that forces us to react,” he said.
Pezeshkian’s comments came a day after Iran fired about 200 missiles including hypersonic weapons towards Israel, sending frightened civilians into shelters.
Israel intercepted most of them, while medics reported two people lightly wounded by shrapnel. One of the missiles damaged a school building.
On Wednesday, the Israeli military said several Iranian missiles fell inside air force bases without causing any damage.
Iran said it was in retaliation for the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has been launching rockets at Israel since shortly after the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Iran’s Palestinian ally Hamas, and Israel’s crushing retaliatory offensive in Gaza.
With inputs from agencies