President Biden Affirms US Will Not Support Israel's Attack On Iran's Nuclear Site

President Joe Biden. (Wikimedia Commons/The White House)

JAKARTA - President Joe Biden on Wednesday stressed the United States would not support Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear site in response to Tehran's missile attack, urging Israel to act "proportionally" against its arch-enemy in the region.

"We will discuss with Israel what they will do, but the seven of us (G7 countries) agree that they have the right to respond, but they must respond proportionally," President Biden told reporters before boarding Air Force One.

President Biden spoke a day after Iran fired more than 180 missiles at Israel, an operation he previously described as "ineffective."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Iran would pay for the Iranian attack.

Some analysts say Israel's response is likely to be sharper than when Iran launched missiles and drones into Israel in April, suggesting this time it could target Tehran's nuclear or oil facilities.

Other experts expect the US to try again to moderate Israel's response in a bid to avoid a regional war.

When asked if he would support Israel attacking Iran's nuclear site as it had long been threatened, President Biden told reporters: "The answer is no."

President Biden said further sanctions would be imposed on Iran and he would soon speak with PM Netanyahu.

"Obviously, Iran has deviated greatly," he said.

Israeli officials have informed US counterparts that they are still finalizing targets, timing, and ways to respond to Iranian missile attacks, according to a person in Washington familiar with the discussions.

Israel may not feel the need to retaliate immediately, given its success in thwarting Iran's attacks. However, Israel could not have waited long for fear of countermeasures would lose its effectiveness as a deterrent if postponed, the US source said.

Unlike after Iran's April attack, the US did not urge Israel to refrain from reprisals, but wanted Israel to consider thorough potential consequences first, the source said.

Iran's missile attacks have escalated tensions in the region, where the Biden Administration for months led intense ceasefire negotiations in the Israel-Hamas war that has lasted nearly a year in Gaza, regularly predicting a ceasefire will occur soon.

President Biden, in the last months of his term of office, has faced sharp criticism at home and abroad for strong US military support for Israel, as has his vice president and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

On the other hand, PM Netanyahu has not always heeded the advice of the Biden administration in the current Middle East conflict.

Iran itself said on Wednesday its missile attacks on Israel, unless there were further provocations.

Israel has long seen Iran's nuclear program as an existential threat, although Tehran insists it is not looking for nuclear weapons.

Iran's nuclear facilities are scattered in many locations, some of which are deep underground.