Aides to US President Joe Biden reportedly discussed the possibility of him delivering a televised address following the Iranian strike on Israel but ultimately decided against it to prevent escalation. Politico, citing sources within the US administration, reported this development.
According to the newspaper, "White House staff on Sunday explored the option of Biden's address" to the American people after "Israel, alongside US forces, intercepted the vast majority" of drones and missiles launched from Iran. However, concrete plans for such a video address were not finalized, the newspaper emphasized. Biden "intentionally refrained from making a public appearance after the Iranian strike," hoping that this approach would "help de-escalate the situation."
"Advisers assessed that a significant event involving the president, like a televised address, would likely exacerbate tensions and potentially provoke Tehran," the newspaper highlighted. One source mentioned that a presidential address from the Oval Office of the White House would only "inflame" the situation. "And that's something we'd rather avoid," noted the source cited by Politico.
In the aftermath of the Iranian strike, the White House press office issued a statement from Biden condemning the attack. The statement emphasized that, with the assistance of US forces, Israel managed to intercept nearly all the drones and missiles utilized by Iran and its allies in the assault on the Jewish state.
Iran conducted a drone and missile strike against Israel on Sunday night in retaliation for the killing of seven senior officers from elite units of the Iranian Armed Forces, including two generals. The incident, attributed to Israel, occurred in early April through a targeted airstrike on the consular section of the Islamic republic's embassy in Damascus.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS