Iran’s attack on Israel gives Joe Biden a familiar dilemma, but on steroids — how to balance support for a difficult ally while preventing the nightmare scenario of a wider war?
Tensions with Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s war on Gaza were papered over as the US president offered “ironclad” support, including shooting down Iranian drones.
But the White House has made it clear it does not want further escalation following Iran’s unprecedented assault and will not support an Israeli counterattack that could trigger a full-blown regional conflict.