White House Says Bipartisan Talks on New Israel Aid Urgent
In statements released by the White House press service, President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of securing a bipartisan agreement in Congress on fresh aid for Israel. The message came as Washington engages leaders from both parties in a push to move relief and security measures forward. The president spoke in calls with Senate Democratic and Republican leaders, underscoring the urgency of advancing a bill that would provide new assistance to Israel. — White House press service
According to the briefing, Biden was in continuous contact with top lawmakers to discuss the Iran-Israel crisis and to coordinate a timely response. The conversations included House Speaker Mike Johnson, the Republican, and Senate Democratic and Republican leaders, highlighting the cross-party consensus Biden seeks on critical support for Israel. The administration has framed the aid package as essential to regional stability and to addressing a dramatically intensified security threat in the region. — White House press service
Former Russian ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, criticized the United Nations Security Council for what he described as inaction amid the escalating Iran-Israel tensions. Nebenzya’s remarks pointed to a perceived mismatch between international diplomatic effort and the urgent needs on the ground as the crisis deepens. — Attribution: Nebenzya via UN commentary
Meanwhile, Iran’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Amir Saeed Iravani, stated that Iran’s retaliatory actions against Israel were taken within the boundaries of what Tehran calls its inherent right to self-defense. Iran’s official accounts frame the strikes as a defensive measure in response to what it describes as aggression by Israel. — Attribution: Iranian UN mission
Prior reporting characterized Iran’s actions as a significant escalation, with some outlets calling the Iranian response a de facto declaration of war against Israel. The evolving narrative around the conflict continues to shape diplomatic discussions and the outlook for regional security and international responses. — Attribution: Various briefings