WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden said he was discussing possible Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities, in comments that sent oil prices spiking Thursday just a month before the US presidential election.
Biden told reporters at the White House however that he was not expecting Israel to launch any retaliation for Tehran’s missile barrage on Israel before Thursday at least.
When asked by a reporter if he supported Israel striking Iran’s oil facilities, Biden said “we’re discussing that. I think that would be a little... anyway.”
Oil prices jumped five percent over concerns about the Middle East after Biden spoke.
A rise in oil prices could be hugely damaging for Biden’s Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democrat confronts Republican former president Donald Trump in a November 5 election where the cost of living is a major issue.
Biden said he did not expect any immediate action from Israel — even if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently paid little heed to calls for restraint as he targets the Iran-allied Hezbollah militia in Lebanon.
“First of all, we don’t ‘allow’ Israel, we advise Israel. And there is nothing going to happen today,” Biden told reporters when asked if he would allow Israel to retaliate against Iran.
Biden said on Wednesday that he would not back Israel attacking Iranian nuclear sites.
Iran launched around 200 rockets in a direct missile attack on Israel on Tuesday, prompting Netanyahu to warn that Tehran would pay.
Iran said it was in retaliation for the killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has been launching rockets at Israel since shortly after the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Iran’s Palestinian ally Hamas, and Israel’s crushing retaliatory offensive in Gaza.
Biden says ‘discussing’ possible Israeli strikes on Iran oil facilities
https://arab.news/jht32
Biden says ‘discussing’ possible Israeli strikes on Iran oil facilities
- When asked by a reporter if he supported Israel striking Iran’s oil facilities, Biden said “we’re discussing that. I think that would be a little... anyway“
- Biden said he did not expect any immediate action from Israel
Syrian, Austrian officials discuss voluntary return of asylum seekers
- Austria’s special envoy to the Middle East and senior Interior Ministry officials join talks
- Since November 2024, Syrians make up the largest group of asylum seekers in Austria, with 12,871 applications recorded
LONDON: Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab met with an Austrian delegation in Damascus on Thursday to discuss cooperation on migration, border management, and the voluntary return of Syrian asylum seekers.
Austria’s special envoy to the Middle East, Ambassador Arad Benko, along with senior officials from Austria’s Interior Ministry, discussed asylum issues, the regulation of humanitarian movement, and ways to coordinate policies and procedures between the two countries.
The discussions also involved sharing expertise in border control, organizing asylum procedures, and facilitating voluntary returns, while cooperating to support security and stability in both countries, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency.
As of November 2024, Syrians make up the largest group of asylum seekers in Austria, with 12,871 applications recorded, the EuroMed Rights reported.
