Looming Israeli Strike on Iran Offers Fresh Test of US Sway
- Washington keen to avoid escalating exchanges between enemies
- US proposes imposing fresh economic sanctions on Iran
A woman and her two children walk along a street heavily damaged by Israeli air strikes in Baalbek, Lebanon, on Oct. 9.
Photographer: Fabio Bucciarelli/AFP/Getty ImagesPresident Joe Biden has warned Israel against attacking Iran’s nuclear sites, and US officials worry a strike on its energy infrastructure could roil energy markets. But with Israeli retaliation against Iran expected at any time, the US is finding it has few assurances against further escalation.
Biden’s team is pressing Israel to limit its retaliation against Iran for a strike last week to military targets such as air bases and missile sites. Rather than Israel knocking out economic targets, the US is proposing alternatives such as a fresh round of economic sanctions, according to people familiar with the matter who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations.