President Joe Biden addressed the ongoing conflict in the Middle East during a press briefing on October 3, as he prepared to travel to Florida and Georgia. When asked about the possibility of Israel targeting Iran’s oil reserves in response to a significant missile strike against Israel, Biden suggested that discussions are underway, stating, “We’re in discussions of that,” but clarified that “there’s nothing going to happen today; we’ll talk about that later.”
The president emphasized that he does not back an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, reiterating a cautious approach regarding military escalations in the region. When pressed about potential sanctions against Iran, Biden was reticent, simply stating, “I’ll tell them before I tell you,” indicating a reluctance to disclose details publicly before informing relevant parties.
Additionally, Biden had no updates regarding the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, leaving many questions unanswered amid the escalating tensions. His comments reflect a delicate balance of supporting Israel while navigating complex geopolitical dynamics in the region.