US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call on Wednesday. It is believed to be their first talk in seven weeks.
The two leaders are reported to have discussed plans for a retaliatory strike in response to a ballistic missile attack that Iran launched last week on Israel. US Vice President Kamala Harris is said to have joined the call.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a press conference that the call was “productive” and “direct.” She added that it lasted for about 30 minutes.
Netanyahu has promised that Iran will pay for the attack. Biden has said Israel has the right to take countermeasures, but he would not support airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites.
US media have reported that former President Donald Trump has also spoken recently with Netanyahu. Trump reportedly congratulated him on what he called the “determined” actions Israel has taken against Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.
The Israeli military announced it has launched additional airstrikes on buildings in what it claims is a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut. It added that it had carried out more than 1,100 strikes since beginning ground operations last week.
Hezbollah militants have staged their own attacks, firing rockets over the border to Israel. Israeli media said two people were killed.