Biden and Israel strategize joint response to Iran tensions

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell stated that the Biden administration will focus on consultations with Israel over the next few days. The goal is to establish a joint response to Iran's attack.

"I think we recognize, as important as a response of some kind should be, there is a recognition that the region is really balancing on a knife's edge, and real concerns about a even broader escalation or a continuing one, not just simply an exchange of sort of isolated salvos, but of more sustained hostility, which could imperil not just Israel, but our strategic interests as well," Campbell said during a virtual conference organized by the Washington think tank Carnegie Endowment.

According to Washington, Tehran, which attacked the Jewish state with nearly 200 rockets on Tuesday, has engaged in "decidedly irresponsible" actions, making it necessary to send it "feedback" – he added.

He acknowledged that the attacks launched by Hezbollah from Lebanon were "destabilizing" for Israel but warned against a prolonged involvement of the Jewish state on this front.

He explained that the U.S. administration has tried to emphasize its support for some of Israel's actions but approaches "with real reserve" the Israeli invasion in southern Lebanon – especially if its scale were to increase or if it were to turn into a prolonged operation.