President Joe Biden, 81, was seen using a crib sheet with scripted remarks during an Oval Office sitdown with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia'a Al-Sudani on Monday. The president turned to the script, which included stage directions for pauses to allow for translation, as he addressed the recent direct missile and drone attack on Israel by Iran.

During the meeting, President Biden glanced down at his notes repeatedly, in contrast to Prime Minister Al-Sudani who did not rely on any note cards for his brief remarks. Rather than making an on-camera statement during the attack, the White House called a lid and later released photos of the president and his national security team monitoring the situation from the Situation Room.

President Biden demonstrated his commitment to supporting Israel by engaging with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and convening leaders of the Group of Seven nations to discuss a diplomatic response to the attack. Reports suggest that behind the scenes, Biden urged Netanyahu to exercise caution in his response to avoid further escalation.

In his brief remarks on Monday, President Biden emphasized the United States' commitment to Israel's security and called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He expressed the need to bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading any further.

This is not the first time President Biden has been seen relying on note cards for his public statements. Last year, he was observed using a card that seemed to include a question from a reporter before calling on that journalist to ask a question. Additionally, it has been reported that he has used note cards during private fundraisers, which has raised concerns among some donors.

President Biden's use of scripted remarks highlights his desire for precise messaging and his dedication to effectively communicating important information. As his presidency progresses, the utilization of note cards may continue to be a feature of his public appearances.