President Biden issued a cryptic warning to Iran Wednesday to “be careful” despite his administration painstakingly denying any links between the country and the brutal attacks by Hamas that butchered more than 1,200 people in Israel. The president’s warning came during a speech to a group of Jewish leaders at the White House, just one day after he avoided mentioning Iran in his initial response to the attacks.
In his speech, Biden emphasized the United States’ support for Israel, stating that additional military assistance, including ammunition and interceptors for the Iron Dome, was being sent to the Israeli Defense Force. He also revealed that the U.S. carrier fleet had been moved to the Eastern Mediterranean and more fighter jets were being deployed to the region.
While the Biden administration has consistently denied any direct involvement of Iran in the Hamas attacks, National Security Counsel spokesperson John Kirby acknowledged that the assessment could change as intelligence continues to be assessed. The Wall Street Journal reported that Iranian security officials approved Hamas’ attack plan during a meeting in Beirut, and Hamas and Hezbollah leaders claimed that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been collaborating with Hamas since August on attack plans.
Despite these claims, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denied any involvement, stating, “We kiss the hands of those who planned the attack.” He also wore a Palestinian scarf during his televised speech, signaling his support for Hamas.
The Biden administration has faced criticism over its recent decision to unfreeze $6 billion of Iranian assets, as some argue that the funds could be used to support terrorist activities. However, the administration maintains that there is no concrete evidence linking Iran to the Hamas attacks.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, President Biden’s warning to Iran serves as a reminder of the United States’ commitment to protecting its allies and maintaining stability in the Middle East. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as intelligence is analyzed.
This article was written by Brandon Gillespie, an associate editor at [News Outlet]. Follow him on Twitter at @brandon_cg for the latest updates on the 2024 campaign trail and more political content.
