The US president's off-the-cuff remark did not make clear whether his administration was holding internal discussions or talking directly to Israel, nor did it clarify his attitude to such an attack.
"First of all, we don't allow Israel, we advise Israel," he told reporters outside the White House yesterday. "And there is nothing going to happen today."
Nonetheless, at a time of high tension across the Middle East, the comment triggered a surge in global oil prices, with potentially damaging effects on Biden's vice-president Kamala Harris's presidential election campaign.
US and Israeli officials have been talking about an appropriate Israeli response to an Iranian salvo of 181 ballistic missiles on Tuesday, most of which were intercepted, though some landed on or around military bases. Satellite imagery published by the Associated Press yesterday showed damage from four distinct impacts to buildings at Israel's Nevatim airbase.
The Iranian attack was in turn a response to the Israeli killing of the Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in an airstrike on Beirut last Friday, with what started as a war in Gaza a year ago igniting in recent days into a major regional conflict.
Esta historia es de la edición October 04, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 04, 2024 de The Guardian.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
The day after Ceasefire seals defeat of Tehran's 'axis of resistance' - for now
The ceasefire that, barring a major last-minute problem, is due to come into force on Sunday will cement massive changes across the Middle East and may seal a significant defeat for Islamist militant groups that for years have been powerful actors in the region.
Mitoma and Rutter end Brighton's winless run to stall Ipswich progress
A first league win in nine for Brighton and the latest hard truth for Ipswich.
Meta's UK staff 'concerned and let down' by new policies, says union
UK staff at Facebook's owner, Meta, feel \"concerned\" and \"let down\" about its decision to scrap fact-checkers and end diversity, equity and inclusion programmes, the trade union representing tech workers has warned the company.
Blue Origin 'mega-rocket' achieves lift-off in challenge to Musk's SpaceX
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket blasted off from Florida yesterday on its first mission to space.
Urgent review to be held into grooming gangs
Yvette Cooper announced an urgent national review of the scale of grooming gangs along with a series of other new measures to tackle them, in a significant shift of approach yesterday following intense political pressure.
Pressure on Reeves eases as economy returns to growth in November
The UK economy grew by just 0.1% in November, which was weaker than expected but eased some pressure on Rachel Reeves after it contracted in the previous month.
We are living on our nerves' Palestinians pin hopes on speedy release of loved ones
Families of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails are eagerly awaiting their release following a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel that could liberate hundreds of detainees.
'Bombing hasn't stopped' Anxious wait in the cold as airstrikes continue
A mid continuing airstrikes, bitter cold and news of delays, millions of people in Gaza were waiting anxiously yesterday for confirmation that the ceasefire for hostages deal between Hamas and Israel was going ahead.
Who deserves the credit? Biden praises his team but Trump says win is his
Biden praises his team - but Trump says win is his
Trading with Trump EU will need carrot and stick to take on tariffs
If there is one thing the EU knows about Donald Trump, it is that he loves tariffs.
