With the U.S. presidential election weeks away, Israel is preparing a counterstrike against Iran in response to Tehran’s recent missile attack on Tel Aviv and other areas. Despite awareness of the upcoming U.S. election, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged that the timing of Israel’s response will focus solely on military objectives, avoiding Iran’s oil refineries and nuclear facilities—key targets that could risk escalating a broader regional conflict and impacting U.S. gas prices.
Iran’s missile barrage, which launched around 180 missiles into Israel on October 1, followed the assassinations of Hezbollah leaders, including founder Hassan Nasrallah. While most missiles were intercepted, one civilian was killed, adding urgency to Israel’s preparations for a retaliatory strike. In a show of support, the U.S. has bolstered Israel’s defenses by deploying its advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system and additional troops to the region.
However, tensions remain as U.S. officials press Israel to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin have warned Israel that failure to provide aid could jeopardize military assistance. Despite the escalating tensions, neither President Joe Biden nor Vice President Kamala Harris has officially threatened to cut military aid, underscoring the complex balancing act between supporting an ally and managing broader Middle Eastern stability.
