U.S. President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that the response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel “remains to be seen.”
Speaking ahead of a cabinet meeting to discuss Hurricane Helene, Biden told reporters at the White House that the administration is still assessing the impact of the attack.
“Based on what we know now, the attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective,” Biden said. “This is a testament to Israeli military capability and the U.S. military. It’s also a testament to intensive planning between the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against the brazen attack.”
“Make no mistake, the United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel,” Biden added.
Asked about a potential response to Iran, Biden said that was under consideration. “That’s an active discussion right now,” he said. “We gotta get all the data straight.”
The president said that there was “constant contact” between the U.S. and Israeli governments about the attack, but he had not yet spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We have spoken with all his people, and I’ll be talking to him,” he said. “My message will depend on what we finally conclude is needed.”
A reporter asked the president what he believed the consequences for Iran should be. “That remains to be seen,” Biden replied.
