Israel's retaliation against Iran not expected Thursday, Biden says

WASHINGTON -- The United States is still in discussion with Israel about the way the latter would retaliate against the missile attacks from Iran, US President Joe Biden said on Thursday, adding "nothing" is expected to happen during the day.

Boarding Air Force One to tour hurricane Helene's impacted area in the southern states of Florida and Georgia, the president told reporters at Joint Base Andrews (JBS) that the United States will "advise" Israel on what specifically the retaliation will be.

"And there's nothing going to happen today," he added.

Axios in a Wednesday report cited Israeli officials as saying that Israel is expected to launch a "significant retaliation" against Iran in the coming days, with possible targets including the Islamic Republic's oil production facilities.

In the event that Iran strikes Israel again, "all options will be on the table" for Israel to consider, including attacking Iran's nuclear sites, the report said.

Biden on Wednesday expressed his opposition to Israel targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, but he was somewhat vague on the administration's attitude toward a possible strike on Tehran's oil fields.

"We're in discussion of that. I think -- I think that would be a little -- anyway," the president said at JBS.