It’s nice that Biden is telling Iran this, but, there’s a problem
Biden’s message to Iran about retaliatory strike on Israel: ‘Don’t’
President Joe Biden told reporters Friday afternoon he expects an Iranian strike on Israel to occur “sooner than later” amid urgent concerns that Iran was about to retaliate for the bombing of its consulate in Damascus, Syria, earlier this month.
Asked for his message to Iran in the tense moment, Biden was blunt, saying simply, “Don’t.”
“Would the U.S. respond?” ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce asked repeatedly as the president walked away after the end of an unrelated event. He paused, thought for a moment and then returned to the lectern.
“We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed,” he said.
I’m not sure what they consider the “unrelated event.” The are really only two things on his schedule today. First, he “delivers virtual remarks at the National Action Network Convention.” So, he wasn’t even there. So, it must be “The President departs the White House en route to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware”. I doubt the White House press was there when he arrived.
So, a. the media is shady in not bothering to mention he was taking the weekend off at the beach yet again and b. this was simply an off the cuff remark, which, unfortunately, won’t make Iran think twice. But, in fairness, Iran wouldn’t listen if this was an official press room comment, unless Biden truly threatened retaliation.
At the same time, the U.S. was moving troops and other assets to the Middle East as Iran readied a large number of missiles and drones for a potential strike against Israel, according to U.S. officials.
The deployment of American troops was intended to try to deter Iran from launching a large-scale attack and protecting U.S. troops in the region
According to one U.S. defense official, the assets being moved to the region include both “ships and aircraft.”
I hope the US military is ready to shoot down any missiles launched. But, at least Biden did say something.
I’ve seen speculation that Iran will launch a half-hearted retaliatory strike, something Israel can easily shoot down, so that the mad mullahs can save face, but is not something which would cause Israel to strike back. Will that be what happens?