In a bid to prevent the recent series of assassinations in Lebanon and Iran from escalating into a full-blown regional conflict, President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a crucial phone call on Thursday. The Biden administration is concerned that the Iranian government might retaliate against Israel for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this week. In response, the administration is actively preparing countermeasures, according to three anonymous U.S. officials speaking to Axios.

During the phone call, President Biden reaffirmed the United States' commitment to Israel's security, specifically against threats originating from Iran and its proxy terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, as stated by the White House. The situation further intensified after Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah pledged to retaliate against Israel for the airstrike conducted in Beirut on Tuesday, resulting in the death of his top military adviser.

It was revealed that the conversation between President Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu lasted approximately 30 minutes, according to an Israeli official. The concern within the Biden administration is not only focused on potential fallout from the Middle East assassinations but also their impact on ongoing negotiations regarding the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deal. The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, political leader of Hamas, is seen as a potential derailment to these delicate talks and further heightens the risk of a regional war.

Adding to the complexity, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that they had targeted and killed Fuad Shukr, the top military commander of Hezbollah, in an airstrike on Beirut. This marked the first time the IDF had targeted a Hezbollah leader in the Lebanese capital since the beginning of the Gaza conflict on October 7th. It is important to note that prior to this strike, the Biden administration had privately advised Israel against targeting Beirut, emphasizing concerns over an uncontrollable escalation.

The recent developments in the Middle East have placed the Biden administration in a precarious position as it seeks to mitigate escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. The situation not only threatens ongoing negotiations but also poses the risk of a wider conflict with potential ripple effects across the region. The international community, along with the United States, now closely watches the next steps taken by both Iran and Israel, hoping to prevent a further escalation and maintain stability in the region.