Biden claims to have ‘good idea’ of when, how Israel will respond to Iranian attack

US President Joe Biden has said he has a good idea of when and how Israel is set to respond to Iran’s October 1 missile attack.

Biden declined to share any details on what the Israeli response may entail when pressed by the media, though his responses suggested the US has an idea of what the nature of the response will be.

Israeli officials have for two weeks been considering how to respond to Iran’s attack, which consisted of around 200 ballistic missiles.

According to the Times of Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu first wanted to consult with Biden before responding to the attack, despite Biden telling reporters that he was against Israel targeting Iranian nuclear or oil sites.

Since a 10 October call between Biden and Netanyahu, the US has dispatched a THAAD air defence battery to Israel in case of an Iranian reaction to an Israeli attack. US soldiers were also deployed to operate the system.

Israeli Channel 12 TV reported that Israel has since requested a second THAAD battery, which consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment, and requires 95 soldiers to operate. 

An Israeli official reportedly told the Times of Israel that Israel’s plans for responding to Iran’s attack have not changed since the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Some analysts have speculated that Israel could dial back its response to Iran in exchange for better terms for a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah and Hamas, Israeli media reported.

Iranian warnings

Following Biden’s comments, Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Aragchi said on Saturday that anyone who knows when and how Israel will respond to the Iranian attacks "will be held accountable".

"Anyone who knows or understands how and when Israel will attack Iran, or provides the means and support for such foolishness, will bear the responsibility for any potential human losses" Araghci wrote on X.

NBC News reported earlier this week that US officials believe Israel has identified targets in its expected response.

A report by the Israeli Kan broadcaster confirmed the reports, adding that "the political echelon" had decided on the targets.

"The targets are clear. Now it’s a matter of time" an Israeli source told Kan.

Araghchi warned the UN chief Antonio Guterres that Tehran is ready for a "decisive and regretful" response if Israel attacks his country.

However, when Biden was pressed by reporters about the prospect of peace in the region, he responded by saying he sees some "opportunity…that we can probably deal with Israel and Iran in a way that ends the conflict for a while…stops the back and forth".

"We think that there’s a possibility of working for a ceasefire in Lebanon. It’s going to be harder in Gaza, but we agree that there has to be an outcome, what happens in the day after," he continued.