White House Says President Biden Focuses On Preventing Iranian Attacks On Israel From Being A Regional Conflict

JAKARTA - White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby reiterated on Monday that United States President Joe Biden focused on preventing Iran's attacks on Israel from developing into a wider regional conflict.

"Just because Iran carried out this unprecedented attack, which we and our Israeli partners as well as other partners succeeded in thwarting it, does not mean we have to accept the continued increase in escalation in the region. The president will not accept it, he wants to see things calmer," Kirby told CNN, as quoted April 16.

When asked if the White House said Israel should not retaliate, Kirby said it was entirely dependent on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, but the US wanted to see tensions ease.

"We respect the decision-making process of their sovereignty. What we want to see is a reduction in tensions. We don't want to see a wider war," Kirby said.

As previously reported, Seven Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) officials were killed in airstrikes against the Iranian Consulate in Damascus, Syria, including two senior generals, on April 1. Israel, which is said to be behind the attack, did not justify or deny it.

In retaliation, Iran launched airstrikes involving more than 300 drones and missiles last Saturday, causing minor damage in Israel and injuring a 7-year-old girl. Most of Iran's attacks were shot down by Israel's Iron Dome defense system and with the help of the US, UK, France, and Jordanian air defenses that confirmed they would shoot down missiles to drones fired by anyone and across its airspace.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu summoned his war cabinet for the second time in less than 24 hours, to consider how to react to Iran's first direct attack on Israel, a government source said.

Israeli Chief of Staff Defense Forces (IDF) Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said his country would respond but did not provide details.

Mutual attacks between Israel and Iran have raised concerns over an open war between Israel and Iran, as well as fears of war-rooted violence in Gaza increasingly spreading in the region.

The United States and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued calls for Israel to exercise restraint. Fearing the danger, President Joe Biden told PM Netanyahu, the United States would not take part in Israel's retaliatory attacks on Iran, officials said on Sunday.