U.S. President Joe Biden dropped a major clue on Friday, stating that he has a clear idea of how and when Israel plans to respond to Iran’s recent ballistic missile assault. Speaking to reporters in Berlin, Biden refrained from spilling specifics but made it clear that the U.S. and Israel are in sync on the timing and scale of the response to the October 1 attack, which saw Iran fire around 200 missiles into Israel.
Biden’s remarks are the first significant indication of a U.S.-Israeli strategy following weeks of Israeli deliberation on how to retaliate. He emphasized that there’s an “opportunity” to halt the cycle of violence between Israel and Iran, saying it could lead to a pause in the ongoing conflict: “We can probably deal with Israel and Iran in a way that ends the conflict for a while… stops the back and forth.” However, the president acknowledged that while a ceasefire in Lebanon may be achievable, doing so in Gaza would be a far tougher challenge.
This back-and-forth follows Netanyahu’s consultation with Biden on October 10, which delayed Israel’s response to Iran’s aggressive move. The U.S., in a display of unwavering support, has sent advanced THAAD air defense systems to Israel, operated by American soldiers, preparing for potential Iranian counterstrikes once Israel retaliates.
As tensions mount, the world waits to see how Israel’s retaliation unfolds—and whether Biden’s vision of a temporary peace can become reality amidst a storm of missiles, political maneuvering, and rising stakes.
