The White House is tight-lipped about the Israeli strike as the US tries to distance itself from the outcome
As Israel attacked Iran overnight in what appeared to be a limited response to last weekend’s attack, the White House took a closed-door approach that reflected US officials’ desire to maintain a degree of distance from the decision.
American officials, who said they received warnings from Israel about their plans, neither supported nor condemned the retaliation.
Instead, they sought to make it clear that the choice was Israel’s alone.
“We are not involved,” an official said.
Although US President Joe Biden advised restraint in a recent phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu – suggesting that a retaliatory strike may not be necessary because of Iran’s successful interception of missiles and drones – few inside the White House believe Israel will not anything. Officials have asked Israel to give advance warning of the plan.