Israel to limit retaliation against Iran over Oct. 1 missile attacks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to limit his response to Iran over its October 1 missile attacks on Israel.

Netanyahu informed the Joe Biden administration that Israel would target Iranian military assets rather than oil infrastructure or nuclear sites, Caliber.Az reports, citing US media.

As reported, Netanyahu made the comments to US President Joe Biden during their phone conversation last week – the first time the two leaders had spoked in more than seven weeks. In response, the Prime Minister's Office said that "we are listening to the opinions of the US administration, but we will make our final decisions based on Israel's national interest."

The US administration is particularly concerned about an Israeli response that will cause prices to rise in the global energy market on the eve of the US presidential elections.

On October 1, Iran launched a missile attack on Israel in response to the killing of Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah, who was based in Lebanon. Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike on September 27, days after Netanyahu ordered strikes on the Hezbollah group, which is backed by Iran.

On October 5, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei publicly led Friday prayers for the first time in five years, defending Iran’s actions and Hamas' 2023 attack, which ignited the ongoing conflict. After the attack, Iran stated that its response was complete and that it was not seeking war unless Israel further provoked it.

Israel’s planned retaliation for Iran’s missile barrage aims to avoid the impression of influencing the upcoming US elections.

The United States will hold elections on November 5, with Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump contesting for the presidency.

By Khagan Isayev