**Biden's Remarks on Possible Israeli Strike on Iran Escalate Tensions and Spark Oil Price Surge**

President Joe Biden has revealed that his administration is "discussing" potential Israeli plans to strike Iran's oil industry in retaliation for a recent Iranian ballistic missile assault. While Biden's comment, made outside the White House, left unclear whether these discussions were internal or involved direct dialogue with Israel, it fueled an immediate spike in global oil prices, impacting Vice President Kamala Harris's tight presidential campaign against Donald Trump.

Biden stated, "First of all, we don't 'allow' Israel, we advise Israel," adding that "nothing is going to happen today." Despite this reassurance, his remark heightened tensions in the Middle East and drove Brent crude oil prices up by as much as 5%, reaching $77.65 (£59.19) a barrel.

The U.S. and Israeli officials are currently debating an effective response to Iran's salvo of 181 ballistic missiles launched on Tuesday. Most missiles were intercepted, though some hit military bases, specifically damaging structures at Israel's Nevatim airbase. This strike was itself a reaction to Israel's killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, a conflict that has escalated from Gaza to engulf the entire region.

Biden has recognized Israel's right to a "proportionate" response and continuously opposed any attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. When asked about a possible Israeli strike on Iranian oil sites, Biden's answer, "We're discussing that. I think that would be a little... anyway," was abruptly cut off but still managed to send oil prices soaring.

Iran has made it clear through a statement at the UN in New York that any large-scale Israeli attack would prompt retaliatory strikes on Israeli infrastructure and countries aiding Israel would be considered legitimate targets. Concurrently, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has sought assurances from Gulf leaders in Doha to remain neutral if a joint Israeli-US attack unfolds.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, emphasized the intention to settle disputes with Iran and foster friendly relations, but reiterated that normalization with Israel hinges on the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The escalating conflict impacted the Middle East on multiple fronts. An Israeli airstrike early Thursday killed nine people at a Hezbollah-linked medical center in Beirut. Israel announced that Hezbollah commander Khader Shahabiya, alleged to be behind a deadly attack in the Golan Heights, was also killed.

The Qatari emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, denounced the situation as "genocide" and criticized the global community's inaction, which he claimed has emboldened the conflict. His remarks, made during the Asia Cooperation Dialogue summit, and his full support for Lebanon, underscore the widening repercussions of the ongoing violence.