Netanyahu's Conversation with Biden on Response to Islamic Republic's Missile Attack; White House: 'Candid and Substantive'

On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This phone call took place as Israel continues its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon while considering its response to recent attacks by the Iranian government. This 30-minute call was the first conversation between Biden and Netanyahu since August 21. The White House announced that Kamala Harris, the U.S. Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate for the upcoming fall elections, was also present during the call. Karine Jean-Pierre, the White House spokesperson, described the conversation as 'candid and substantive' during her press conference in Washington on Wednesday, although she acknowledged that the two sides have some disagreements on certain issues. Hours later, the White House released a statement indicating that President Biden explicitly condemned the Islamic Republic's missile attack on Israel on October 1 and reaffirmed America's ironclad commitment to Israel's security. Biden also emphasized Israel's right to defend itself against Hezbollah attacks, while stressing the need to protect civilian lives, especially in densely populated areas of Beirut. Both Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza receive support from the Iranian government. According to the White House, the U.S. President and the Israeli Prime Minister agreed to stay in close contact in the coming days, either directly or through their national security teams. Biden has previously stated that he would not support an Israeli attack on nuclear sites in Iran. The Israeli Prime Minister is currently considering how to respond to the Iranian government's attack. On October 1, the Islamic Republic fired approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, significantly escalating a year-long conflict between Israel and Tehran-affiliated militants in the region. The Axios website previously reported that Netanyahu held hours of meetings on Tuesday night with senior cabinet members and high-ranking military and intelligence officials to decide on the scope and timing of Israel's retaliatory attacks. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on Wednesday that Israel's attack on the Islamic Republic would be 'surprising and lethal,' such that the Islamic Republic 'will not understand what hit them and how.' He did not provide further details. Axios: Biden likely to discuss Israel's response to the Islamic Republic on Wednesday. U.S.: Preventing Israel from responding to the Islamic Republic's attack has never been a consideration. Reuters quoted 'two senior security officials' in Iran: There has been no news from Ismail Qaani for a week. An Israeli media report on the U.S. proposal to Netanyahu's government in exchange for not attacking 'specific targets' in Iran.