Israel weighs US input but makes own decision on Iran strike

Jerusalem, Oct 15 (EFE).- Israel will consider US inputs but ultimately make its own decisions on a potential strike against Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has said.

The Israeli clarification came after The Washington Post published an exclusive report suggesting that Israel would strike military targets in Iran.

“‏We listen to the opinions of the United States, but we will make our final decisions based on our national interests,” Netanyahu’s office said in response to the report.

The Washington Post had earlier claimed that during a phone call with President Joe Biden last Wednesday, Netanyahu informed the US administration of his intention to target Iranian military facilities, avoiding strikes on oil or nuclear sites.

The decision to target military assets, according to sources cited by the newspaper, was shaped by concerns about not interfering with the US election, as an Israeli strike could impact the Nov. 5 vote.

An attack on Iran’s oil infrastructure could drive energy prices up, directly affecting American consumers, while a strike on its nuclear facilities could escalate tensions into a broader conflict, potentially forcing the US to intervene.

The Washington Post reported that Netanyahu’s plan to focus on military targets, similar to Israel’s response to an Iranian attack in April, was met with relief in Washington.

The US has been in discussions with Israel for several days, hoping to ensure that any Israeli response remains measured and does not escalate into a regional conflict that could influence the elections.

A spike in gasoline prices, for instance, could hurt Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, who is perceived by some voters as less capable of managing the economy compared to her rival, Republican candidate and former president Donald Trump.

Netanyahu’s approach, aimed at balancing military action with political considerations, comes amid heightened tensions in the region and ongoing US-Israeli discussions about possible next steps. EFE

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