President Biden warns Israel after Iran's retaliatory attack

Overnight, a mass drone and missile attack on Israeli territory by Iran has escalated tensions in the Middle East, prompting a warning from President Joe Biden to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US will not participate in a counter-offensive. The attack, launched in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on Iran's consulate in Syria, resulted in minimal damage to Israel due to successful interception by US, Britain, and Jordan. Despite the limited impact, the situation remains volatile, with Iran threatening a larger response if Israel retaliates.

Israeli officials have indicated that immediate retaliation is not on the horizon, opting instead to build a regional coalition to address the threat posed by Iran. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant highlighted the danger of Iran potentially arming missiles with nuclear explosives, emphasizing the need for strategic alliances to counter this threat. Iran, on the other hand, claims its attack was a limited act of self-defense in response to 'Israeli crimes' and has informed neighboring countries in advance of its actions.

Global powers and Arab nations have called for restraint to prevent further escalation, with the UN Security Council scheduled to convene to address the situation. While the attack raised concerns about a potential new war, analysts speculate that Iran's actions were calculated to avoid significant casualties in Israel while fulfilling domestic expectations of retaliation.