White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby reiterated on Monday morning that President Joe Biden is prioritizing efforts to prevent Iran's attack against Israel from escalating into a broader regional conflict.
Kirby emphasized that despite the recent attack by Iran, which was successfully thwarted with the help of Israeli and other partners, the goal is to avoid a continuous rise in tensions in the region. President Biden is committed to de-escalating the situation.
When questioned about whether the White House believes Israel should refrain from retaliating, Kirby stated that the decision ultimately lies with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. However, the United States is advocating for a reduction in tensions and hopes to avoid a larger conflict.
Kirby highlighted that the US respects Israel's autonomy in decision-making and reiterated the importance of de-escalating tensions to prevent a wider war from erupting.
