Source: Wall Street Journal
“Israel has so far refused to divulge to the Biden administration details of its plans to retaliate against Tehran, U.S. officials said, even as the White House is urging its closest Middle East ally not to hit Iran’s oil facilities or nuclear sites amid fears of a widening regional war. President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone for the first time Wednesday since Aug 21. Vice President Kamala Harris joined the call, the White House said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined the call, the State Department said. U.S. officials are frustrated that they have been repeatedly caught off guard by Israel’s military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, and are seeking to head off further escalation. Some had hoped the U.S. would learn more about what Israel was contemplating during a planned meeting Wednesday between Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon, but Gallant postponed his trip, the Pentagon said.” (10/09/24)