Israel’s war cabinet convened for a second session to deliberate over responses to Iran's recent attack involving over 300 missiles and drones, according to government spokesman David Mencer. With a response weighing in the balance, analysts gave context to the unfolding escalations in the region.

As Israel Weighs Options...

The attack, condemned globally, has led to international calls for restraint to prevent further escalation. During the discussions, Israel maintained that all response options are on the table. Meanwhile, the United States, along with allies including Britain, France, and Jordan, supported Israel in intercepting the assault. At a heated U.N. Security Council meeting, Iran's representative stated Tehran seeks no further escalation and does not intend to engage in conflict with the U.S. The Biden administration has advised Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to moderate the response pace, asserting that the U.S. will not participate in retaliatory strikes.

Iran's recent drone and missile strike on Israel, in response to an alleged Israeli attack in Syria, marks a significant shift in Middle East tensions, which Western analysts warned could potentially leading to a broader regional conflict. Conflict analysts debate the status of the Middle East conflict, with investigative media outlet The Intercept noting that the conflict does already involved 16 nations, which makes it a regional conflict at present.

Implications of an Inevitable Counterstrike
Sanam Vakil of Chatham House highlighted the inevitability of an Israeli counterstrike, which could escalate into a direct conflict involving regional allies. Amid heightened tensions, United States President Joe Biden has supported Israel but dismissed U.S. participation in a counteroffensive, noting the sensitive geopolitical implications during an election year.

Criticism of the US President
‍Analysts at The Intercept criticized Biden's assessment of the conflict, noting that escalations in the Middle East now engage at least 16 countries, including the first strikes from Iranian territory on Israel. The criticism followed a report by The New York Times stating that Biden was seeking to "head off" escalation after Israel completed a successful intercept of the drones and missiles launched, reportedly with 99% accuracy.

Despite the extensive involvement, the analysts said that the U.S. downplays the breadth of its military actions, maintaining that there is no broader regional war. Intercept analysts argue that this narrative conflicts with actions such as the U.S. deploying air defense systems and aircraft from eight different nations in response to Iran's recent attacks.

U.S. Government 'Narrative' Critiqued

The Intercept also called into question the media's portrayal, saying that it often aligns with the U.S. government's understatement of the conflict. For instance, despite escalating tensions and widespread involvement, outlets like The New York Times and NBC report on the conflict in ways that imply it is contained. This portrayal overlooks the multifaceted national interests already deeply entwined in the conflict, suggesting a significant disparity between public communications by the U.S. and its actual military engagements in the region.