Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Refutes Washington Post's Iran Strike Report

Netanyahu's Response to the Washington Post's Report

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has refuted a report published by the Washington Post on Monday that led to a decrease in oil prices. The report suggested that President Biden had used diplomatic strategies to ensure Israel would not attack Iran's nuclear or oil sites. Netanyahu's office, however, stated on Tuesday that while they consider the views of the United States, their final decisions will be based on their national interests. This statement has been interpreted as a denial of the main content of the Washington Post's report, which claimed that Netanyahu had assured the Biden administration that he would only target military facilities in Iran, rather than oil or nuclear sites.

Impact on Oil Prices

Following the publication of the Washington Post's report, West Texas Intermediate fell to nearly $70 a barrel, a decrease of up to 5%, causing Brent futures to drop below $74. The report had suggested that a recent call between Biden and Netanyahu was a diplomatic victory for Biden, as Netanyahu seemed more moderate in his stance. This perceived change in Netanyahu's position reportedly influenced Biden's decision to send a powerful missile defense system to Israel.

Netanyahu's Denial

However, Netanyahu has denied the Washington Post's report, which Bloomberg has also referenced. The report stated that Netanyahu had agreed to limit his retaliation for an Iranian ballistic missile attack on October 1 to military targets only. This decision may not be well received by more hard-line Israelis. For instance, the National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, suggested that they have an opportunity to "cut off the head of the snake," referring to Iran. He did not provide further details on the cabinet's private deliberations.

Israel's Future Response to Iran

Despite the controversy, there are still many hawks in Netanyahu's security cabinet who are advocating for a more robust response from Israel. Furthermore, Netanyahu has been discussing the possibility of eliminating Iran's nuclear program for several years. On Tuesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated that Israel's response to Iran would be "soon, accurate, and lethal."

Deployment of THAAD Missile System

In the meantime, the Pentagon has announced that an initial THAAD missile system has arrived in Israel and will soon be fully operational, with US service members manning it. The Washington Post's report had suggested that Biden's offer of the THAAD missile defense system was what led to Netanyahu's promise not to target oil or nuclear sites in Iran. However, this claim is now being questioned.

Bottom Line

The recent report from the Washington Post and the subsequent denial by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have created a stir in international politics. The situation has raised questions about the nature of diplomatic relations between the United States and Israel, as well as the potential impact on oil prices and the stability of the Middle East. What are your thoughts on this matter? Share this article with your friends and let us know your views. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.