President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu are moving closer to an understanding concerning Israel’s planned response to Iran, sources from both countries confirmed to Axios on Thursday, following a phone call between the two leaders on Wednesday.

The Biden administration is aware that Israel is gearing up for a significant military strike against Iran, though Washington remains apprehensive that hitting certain targets might trigger a serious escalation in the broader regional conflict.

A senior Israeli source shared with Axios that while Israel’s current strategy is still somewhat more forceful than what the White House prefers, negotiations are ongoing.

Nevertheless, a US official remarked that “we are moving in the right direction” after the conversation between Biden and Netanyahu. Another official noted that, after the call, the US government felt slightly less concerned about Israel’s plans.

The senior Israeli source explained that the gap between the two countries over the operation’s nature and scale has narrowed.

US officials disclosed to Axios that the Biden-Netanyahu discussion capped nearly two weeks of ongoing talks between the US and Israel, which were intensified following Iran’s launch of approximately 180 ballistic missiles at Israel last week, most of which were successfully intercepted.

Israeli sources confirmed that Israel’s Security Cabinet held a meeting on Thursday night to discuss the planned attack on Iran and review the agreements reached with the US administration.

The Security Cabinet is anticipated to grant Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant the power to determine the timing of the strike.

US and Israeli officials told Axios that consultations between the two governments regarding Israel’s planned response to Iran continued on Thursday and are expected to proceed in the days ahead.

{Matzav.com}