Biden: US won't participate in, support offensive operations against Iran - report

Biden and Netanyahu spoke for about half an hour over the phone overnight.

 U.S. President Joe Biden delivers virtual remarks during the National Action Network Convention from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building's South Court Auditorium at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 12, 2024. (photo credit: REUTERS/BONNIE CASH)
U.S. President Joe Biden delivers virtual remarks during the National Action Network Convention from the Eisenhower Executive Office Building's South Court Auditorium at the White House in Washington, U.S., April 12, 2024.
(photo credit: REUTERS/BONNIE CASH)

President Joe Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States would neither participate in nor support offensive actions against Iran, an Israeli official told Axios on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile, Biden is set to convene the other G7 leaders on Sunday to coordinate a "united diplomatic response to Iran's brazen attack," according to a statement from the White House on Saturday night. 

"Earlier today, Iran—and its proxies operating out of Yemen, Syria and Iraq—launched an unprecedented air attack against military facilities in Israel. I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms," Biden said. 

Biden said he directed the US military to move aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the past week. 

Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of servicemembers, the US helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles, the statement said. 

 Objects are seen in the sky above Jerusalem after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, in Jerusalem April 14, 2024. (credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)
Objects are seen in the sky above Jerusalem after Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel, in Jerusalem April 14, 2024. (credit: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS)

Biden reaffirms US's 'ironclad commitment to the security of Israel'

Biden also said he spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu to "reaffirm America's ironclad commitment to the security of Israel."

"I told him 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," Biden said. 

Biden said the White House will stay in close touch with Israel's leaders.

"And while we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people," he said.