Breaking news about the Iranian attack on Israel, the war with Hamas and the situation in Gaza live: news, reactions and more

President Joe Biden, April 12, 2024. (Credit: Alex Brandon/AP)

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby confirmed Monday morning that President Joe Biden is focused on preventing the Iranian attack on Israel from developing into a broader regional conflict.

He added: “The fact that Iran carried out this unprecedented attack, which was thwarted by us, our Israeli partners, and our other partners, does not mean that we must accept continued and increasing escalation in the region. The president will not accept that. He wants that.” John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council, told CNN's Kate Bolduan this morning:

Asked whether the White House's position was for Israel not to retaliate, Kirby said that was ultimately up to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, but that the United States wanted to ease tensions.

He added: “We respect their sovereign decision-making process. What we want is for tensions to decrease. We do not want to see a broader war and everything the president is doing, including bringing American forces into the fight on Saturday night to defend Israel.” I think this is the first time this has been done, which is de-escalation to reduce tensions and provide resources in the region to send a strong signal to anyone who might act against our interests or the interests of our allies and partners. “This is unacceptable,” Kirby said.

Amid questions about the future of aid to Ukraine in the House of Representatives, Kirby called on President Johnson to put the national security funding package passed by the Senate to a vote.

“What needs to happen in the House is that the bipartisan Senate-passed bill that includes Ukraine, includes the Indo-Pacific, includes border security, as well as Israel, needs to be voted on because we know that if “If she comes to the floor today, she will have the votes needed to move forward.”