The message that oil and nuclear energy targets are to be protected is said to have been delivered by Netanyahu when he spoke with US President Joe Biden last week, according to two sources with insight for The Washington Post.
Instead, Netanyahu is said to have stated that Israel plans to strike military targets in Iran. The retaliatory attack is said to take place before the US presidential election on November 5, according to reports.
However, Netanyahu's office responded to the newspaper reports from the US on Tuesday morning. Israel listens to the US's opinions, claims the Prime Minister according to Israeli Haaretz – but makes its final decisions "based on Israel's national interests".
From Israel's side, a "bloody" response has been promised to the 200 drones Tehran fired at the country on October 1.
According to analysts, an attack on Iranian oil facilities would cause global energy prices to soar, while an attack on the nuclear program could lead to a serious escalation that risks drawing the US into a more direct military role.
Netanyahu's alleged message to Biden is said to have brought a sigh of relief in Washington, according to The Washington Post's sources.
