Israel, Washington argued, owned the clock and had time to decide on how to best respond to an Iranian strike that the United States assessed could have killed thousands if Israel, with US military support, had not been able to thwart the attack from its long-time foe.
Such a massive Iranian attack had the potential to trigger a sharp, rapid Israeli response that, weeks before the US presidential election, could push the Middle East closer to an all-out regional conflagration, officials feared.
This account from current and former US officials explains how the US sought to influence Israel during the more than three weeks before it finally retaliated on Oct 26 with air strikes that were far more tailored towards military targets.
They destroyed key Iranian air defenses and missile production facilities, weakening Iran's military. But, importantly, they avoided Iran's sensitive nuclear sites and energy infrastructure, meeting Mr. Biden's two top demands.
"US pressure was critically important," said Mr. Jonathan Panikoff, a former US national intelligence officer for the Middle East.
"Israeli decision-making would have been far different had the Biden administration not taken measures to push Israel not to strike nuclear or energy sites."
The first move by Mr. Biden's administration was to acknowledge that Iran would have to pay for the Oct 1 attack, officials say.
"In the hours after that attack, we promised serious consequences for Iran," according to one senior Biden administration official.
But what would be a proportional response that could deter another Iranian attack?
Denne historien er fra October 29, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra October 29, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Star producer of NewJeans quits after legal spat with BTS agency
The South Korean super-producer behind the chart-topping girl group NewJeans resigned from her label on Nov 20, following a protracted legal battle with Hybe that has rocked the country's K-pop industry.
One Direction stars attend Liam Payne's funeral in UK
Family and friends of One Direction star Liam Payne, who died in October after falling from a Buenos Aires hotel room, gathered for his funeral in Britain on Nov 20.
Composer A.R. Rahman and wife separate after 29 years of marriage
Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman and his wife, Saira, have announced their decision to part ways after nearly 30 years of marriage.
Audemars Piguet joins hands with Kaws for groovy new drop
Audemars Piguet has teamed up with contemporary American artist Brian Donnelly - better known by his pseudonym Kaws - to create the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion, a 43mm titanium horological knockout which groovily fuses high watchmaking and pop art.
LOCAL DESIGNERS GET WICKED
Singapore fashion designers have created clothes and accessories in a Wicked collaboration between Design Orchard and NBCUniversal
Captain America excited to flaunt new powers
No serum? No problem. New Captain America Anthony Mackie goes on a different flight path in upcoming movie
SBA RESHUFFLE NETS KIM
S. Korea's ex-Asiad champ will become Singapore women's singles head coach
Yeo targets top-l O spot after maiden win over Sindhu
As far as giants go, they do not come taller in the badminton women's singles circuit than India's 1.79m P. V. Sindhu, who has a 2019 world title and an Olympic silver (Rio 2016) and bronze (Tokyo 2020) to match her stature.
Hearing-impaired Audelle, 10, is rising chess star
It was only when Audelle Sim was six years old that her parents found out that she has a hearing impairment.
THE BEST OF CHESS AND MORE
S,pore world c'ship's side events include fan zones with grandmasters and exhibitions
