President Biden on Monday defended his administration’s airstrikes against Iran-backed militia groups in Syria as an act of self-defense, seeking to signal to the world that he can take a hard-line stance even as he attempts to reenter a nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic.
Talking to reporters at the White House before a meeting with outgoing Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Biden said he had “authority under Article II” for the Sunday strikes because the militias had staged attacks against U.S. personnel in the region. Article II of the Constitution gives the president wide discretion to use military force in self-defense.
The comment appeared to be an attempt by Biden to assure Israelis — whose government is in flux following the recent ouster of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — that he can play hardball with Iran and won’t accept its proxy wars in the region even as he seeks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal that Donald Trump scrapped as president.
Addressing Rivlin, Biden said, “What I can say to you: Iran will never get a nuclear weapon on my watch.”
The Netanyahu regime supported Trump’s decision to pull the U.S. out of the Iran deal, under which some sanctions on the country were lifted in exchange for a commitment that it would not seek to develop nuclear weapons.
Naftali Bennett, Netanyahu’s successor, is also a sharp critic of the Iran nuclear deal.
Since taking office, Biden has stressed that he wants to retain strong ties with Israel despite disagreements over Iran policy and other issues.
While appearing with Rivlin, Biden said he plans to meet with Bennett next.
“My team and I are already working closely with the Israeli government that took office earlier this month,” he said. “I’m looking forward to hosting Prime Minister Bennett at the White House very soon.”
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