Biden says he would not support an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities

President Biden said Wednesday that he will not support an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in retaliation for Iran's firing of 181 missiles into Israel, fearing a deadly regional war is imminent.

On Wednesday, a day after the massive attack and after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that Iran would pay for the attack, Biden spoke briefly to reporters before boarding Air Force One.

He said all leaders of France, Canada, Japan, Britain, Italy and Germany agreed in a recent conversation that Israel had the right to respond “proportionately” to Iran's military strike.

“We will discuss with the Israelis what they will do, but all of us seven (G7 countries) agree that they have the right to respond, but they should respond proportionately,” he said.

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President Biden speaks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Oct. 2, 2024. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

But asked whether he would support Israel in attacking Iranian nuclear facilities, as it has long threatened, Biden told reporters: “The answer is no.”

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Biden said more sanctions would be imposed on Iran and that he would speak to Netanyahu soon.

“Obviously Iran is way off course,” he said.

President Biden speaks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, Oct. 2, 2024. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The Iranian missile attack heightened tensions in the region, where the Biden administration has been leading months-long negotiations for a ceasefire in the nearly year-long war between Israel and Hamas.

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The latest attack on Israel comes as the Biden administration has dimmed prospects for an end to the war between Israel and Hamas.

“We are no closer to this now than we were a week ago,” National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters earlier. He called the prospects of completing the deal “disheartening.”

“There is no deal imminent,” a U.S. official said the Wall Street Journal. “I’m not sure it’ll ever be finished.”

Biden is traveling to South Carolina and North Carolina to assess storm damage from Hurricane Helene. (MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images)

During Tuesday's vice presidential debate with Ohio Republican Sen. JD Vance, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Democratic nominee Vice President Harris' “stable leadership” in the region is necessary.

“What we saw from Vice President Harris is that we saw consistent leadership. We have seen a calmness that is able to draw on the coalitions, bring them together and understand that our allies are important. When our.” “Our allies see Donald Trump turning to Vladimir Putin, turning to North Korea. If we see this kind of fickleness in holding coalitions together, we will remain committed,” he said.

“And as the vice president said today, we will protect our armed forces and our allied forces, and that will have consequences,” he said.

JD Vance and Tim Walz attended the vice presidential debate on Tuesday night in New York City. (Reuters)

Vance expressed support for former President Trump's Republican nominee's “peace through strength” policy toward Israel.

“Donald Trump recognized that you need peace through strength to make people fear the United States,” Vance said. “They had to recognize that if they stepped out of line, United States global leadership would bring stability and peace back to the world.”

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Vance said it is “up to Israel” how it responds.

“You asked about a pre-emptive strike, Margaret, and I want to answer the question,” he said during the debate. “Look, it’s up to Israel what they think they need to do to ensure the security of their country,” he said. “And we should support our allies, wherever they are, as they fight the evil ones. I think this is the right approach to the Israel issue.”

Fox News Digital has reached out to the State Department and White House for comment.