Though US President Joe Biden hailed Israeli defence against Iranian drones and ballistic missiles, he made it clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US will not aid any Israeli counterattack on Iran.
In the phone conversation Biden held with Netanyahu, the US President said Israel should "tonight a win because the current US assessment is that Iran’s attacks had been largely unsuccessful and demonstrated Israel’s superior military capability."
A readout from the White House said Biden told Netanyahu that "Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel."
The US estimates that almost all Iranian drones and missiles launched against Israel have been knocked out of the sky. "No cruise missile made impact," the official said, and nothing of "value" was hit.
However, Israel has yet to decide on its response to the Iranian missile and drone attack. The potential response will be discussed at the war cabinet meeting on Sunday afternoon, according to The Times of Israel.
Meanwhile, Iran has warned of more attacks if Israel retaliates over the weekend's strikes. "The Islamic Republic of Iran will not hesitate to exercise its inherent right of self-defence when required," Iran’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, said in a statement.
"Should the Israeli regime commit any military aggression again, Iran's response will assuredly and decisively be stronger and more resolute,” Ambassador Iravani added. The Iranian mission to the United Nations said Iran now "deemed the matter concluded" and warned the US to stay away.
Meanwhile, Israeli local media reports said the country has put a delegation visit to the US on the back burner. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi were slated to fly to Washington this week to discuss the looming Rafah operation, but that trip is in doubt after the Iranian attack.
"It’s on the back burner now," says an Israeli official. Israel has been threatening to enter Rafah, the last Gaza city fully in Hamas's hands, for weeks.
