West Asia crisis: Biden optimistic Israel's latest Iran strike is 'the end' to months of escalations

US President Joe Biden on Saturday (Oct 26) expressed hope that Israel's recent strikes on Iran could mark "the end" of the months-long period of escalations. He said to reporters, "It looks like they didn't hit anything other than military targets."

"I hope that this is the end," stated Biden, adding that Israel had given him a heads-up about the attack.

Biden's statement comes as his administration intensified its efforts to broker a ceasefire deal that includes both Gaza and Lebanon.

In remarks that followed the strikes on Iran, Israeli President Isaac Herzog hailed the United States as a "true ally" of Israel when it comes to mutual cooperation.

Applauding the strikes he said: "I especially wish to thank our great friend the USA for being a true ally, and for the overt and covert cooperation." 

Israel's latest strike on Iran

On Saturday, in an extensive assault, Israeli drones and fighter jets targeted military sites in an hours-long barrage across Iran. According to the Guardian, this was the first time Tel Aviv openly attacked Tehran, marking a shift from years of covert operations. 

Also read | Iran's ballistic missile factory destroyed in Israeli strikes, will take two years to repair: Report

The strikes, however, were focused solely on military infrastructure, avoiding sensitive nuclear sites and oil facilities. 

Iranian officials were quick to belittle the restrained effort's scale and effectiveness. Israeli hardliners also criticised the effort's timidity. Opposition leader Yair Lapid took to X to say that the decision not to attack strategic and economic targets in Iran was "wrong" and that the military could have "exacted a higher price".

The Israeli forces targeted specific sites: air defence systems, radar stations, and long-range missile production facilities. 

Iran to prioritise ceasefire

On Saturday night, Iran's military responded cautiously, saying it prioritised ceasefire efforts in Gaza and Lebanon over immediate retaliation, which as per the report suggests that parts of the Iranian government prefer de-escalation.

Also read | Hezbollah retaliates: Fires about 80 projectiles at Israel, says army

In another statement, the Iran foreign ministry touted its right to self-defence. It said that Israel used so-called "stand-off" missiles over the Iraqi airspace to launch the attacks, which it said damaged Iranian radar sides, some of which were already under repair.

The Israeli military, however, warned Iran against launching another attack. In a statement, after it finished Saturday's attack, spokesperson R Adm Daniel Hagari said, "If the regime were to make the mistake of beginning a new round of escalation, we will be obligated to respond".

Global leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, have called for restraint amid the intensifying hostilities.

(With inputs from agencies)