Amidst heightened tensions in West Asia, US President Joe Biden has stressed the importance of avoiding an all-out war in the region. He announced his plans to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a conversation that will likely focus on the recent series of Israeli airstrikes that have severely weakened the Iran-backed Hezbollah.
These airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of over 100 individuals, including Hezbollah’s long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah. Biden, responding to a question about the potential for a full-scale war, stated, “We really have to avoid it (war).” He made this declaration before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington.
In a statement released by the White House, Biden described Nasrallah as responsible for the deaths of hundreds of Americans over four decades of terror. He labeled Nasrallah’s death a “measure of justice” for his victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians. Biden reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and other Iranian-supported terrorist groups.
White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby echoed Biden’s sentiment, highlighting the significant weakening of Hezbollah’s leadership as a result of the airstrikes. He described these actions as “good for the world” and expressed belief that the world is safer without Nasrallah at the helm. However, Kirby cautioned that Hezbollah is likely to attempt a swift rebuilding process.
Following Nasrallah’s death, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark warning to Iran’s Ayatollah regime. He declared that those who target Israel will face consequences, confidently asserting that no location in Iran or West Asia is beyond Israel’s reach. Netanyahu condemned Nasrallah as the “main engine of Iran’s axis of evil,” emphasizing his role as the architect of a plan to destroy Israel.
Netanyahu extended words of hope to citizens of countries opposing the “axis of evil,” assuring them of Israel’s solidarity. He directly addressed the Iranian regime with a threat, stating, “Those who strike us, we strike them. There is no place in Iran or the Middle East that the long arm of Israel cannot reach.” This statement, delivered with unwavering conviction, underscores the heightened tensions and the potential for further conflict in the region.
