Israel, the United States and its regional allies had succeeded in blocking the Iranian attack, Biden is said to have told the Israeli prime minister.
An official told the news outlet that Biden said: "You got a win. Take the win.”
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with members of the National Security team regarding the missile attacks on Israel from Iran, in the White House Situation Room on Saturday. (Photo: U.S. White House/Reuters)[Missing Credit]
99 per cent of Iranian drones and missiles launched at Israel were prevented from reaching their targets.
Netanyahu is reported to have said in response that he understood America would not take part in any offensive actions against Iran, or support such an operation were the Israelis to conduct one.
"I told Prime Minister Netanyahu 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.
The US president is set to hold a call with G7 leaders to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s attack, which UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to join.
G7 leaders, including UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, were due to meet on Sunday after Iran attacked Israel with missiles and drones (Photo: SDG Knowledge Hub/IISD)[Missing Credit]
"My team will engage with their counterparts across the region. And we will stay in close touch with Israel's leaders,” he said.
"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.”
The president returned to the White House on Saturday night after cutting short a trip to Delaware.
In a statement, he reiterated America’s “ironclad” support for Israel.
Speaking to Iranian state television, chief of staff to the armed forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said: “Our response will be much larger than tonight’s military action if Israel retaliates against Iran.”
Tehran has already warned the United States that they will target their bases in the Middle East if America backs Israeli retaliation.
Writing on X/Twitter, Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations insisted that were Israel to retaliate they would launch a “severe” response.
"Conducted on the strength of Article 51 of the UN Charter pertaining to legitimate defence, Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus,” they wrote.
"The matter can be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, Iran’s response will be considerably more severe.
"It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!”
Hossein Salami, the IRGC’s chief commander, has meanwhile claimed that Iran has established a “new equation” to confront Israel.
If the IDF attack Iranian interests anywhere, Tehran will respond directly, he said.
