Israel ‘to target Iran military sites, not oil or nuclear facilities’

Benjamin Netanyahu’s more moderated stance over a retaliatory strike on Iran is reportedly aimed at preventing a full-scale war.

Iran's oil facilities on Kharg Island. Picture: X/Twitter.

Israeli’s expected retaliatory strike on Iran will target military sites rather than oil or nuclear facilities, Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly assured the Biden administration.

The Washington Post reports the Israeli Prime Minister said that instead, Jerusalem would launch a more limited strike in retaliation for Iran’s missile barrage two weeks ago.

The Middle East has been on edge since Iran’s second strike in six months, as Mr Netanyahu made it clear his military would respond with force to Iran’s attack, amid concerns of a wider regional conflagration. However, citing US officials with knowledge of the conversation between Mr Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden, the Washington Post reports that the retaliatory attack would be aimed at preventing a full-scale war.

Washington has said it supports an Israeli retaliatory attack but Mr Biden has made it clear he would not support a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, which would not only lead to a major counter-strike by Iran but could risk accelerating Tehran’s nuclear program.

After the US warned last week that instead Israel could go after Iran’s oil facilities, prices rose by five per cent amid fears of rocketing energy prices. An attack on Iran’s main oil facility on Kharg Island would throttle Tehran’s ability to export petroleum, with some analysts warning it could lead to prices as high as $100 a barrel. Soon after the US warning, container ships were seen leaving the vicinity of the island.

Officials told the Washington Post Mr Netanyahu was in a “more moderated place” in his conversation with the US President last week than he had previously been, and that was a factor in the US decision to send an advanced missile defence system to Israel this week.

US Central Command confirmed on Monday (AEDT) that Washington would send the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system to Israel, along with 100 American troops to operate it, as the Pentagon moves to bolster Jerusalem’s defence against an Iranian attack.

The deployment of the THAAD system, a ground-based interceptor designed to shoot down ballistic missiles, marks a significant step in American efforts to directly protect Israel against an enemy attack by putting US soldiers on the ground.

It also come as four Israeli troops were killed in an unprecedented Hezbollah drone attack on a military site near Binyamina, in the north of the country.

The drone was able to avoid detection, apparently flying at a lower altitude so it dropped out of range. The successful attack has put an uncomfortable spotlight on the weaknesses in Israel’s defence systems; the Israeli Air Force has vowed to “eliminate” every member of the squad that manufactured, maintained and operated the drone.

Despite Mr Netanyahu’s apparent assurances over a limited strike, Israel’s media reports that the military is still focused on a major attack that would show Iran it meant business.

In April, after Iran sent a barrage of missiles and rockets over Israel – most of which were destroyed by the Iron Dome and Jerusalem’allies – Israel targeted an air base in Isfahan, in central Iran. That strike was regarded as a warning shot over Tehran’s bows, to let it know Israel could attack anywhere in the country.

More recently, the Israeli Defence Forces have concentrated on hammering Iranian proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon, eliminating much of the terror group’s command structure, including its long time chief Hassan Nasrallah and his presumed successor Hashem Safieddine, in attacks on Hezbollah’s underground headquarters.