President Joe Biden’s approach to Iran has come under criticism following Tehran’s significant drone and missile attack on Israel, with experts suggesting that Biden’s policies may have inadvertently encouraged Iranian boldness. This criticism follows a pattern where Biden’s administration is seen as having a relatively soft stance toward Iran, contrasting sharply with the previous administration’s policies.
Richard Goldberg, a former member of President Trump’s National Security Council, voiced strong concerns over the administration’s approach, particularly criticizing Biden’s reluctance to support a forceful military retaliation by Israel. He highlighted that the Biden administration had allowed access to as much as $10 billion, potentially enabling Iran to bolster its military capabilities despite assurances that these funds would be earmarked for humanitarian purposes only.
Critics argue that the financial flexibility granted to Iran has made it easier for the regime to redirect existing funds to its military endeavors. This situation is exacerbated by the U.S. and its European allies’ decision to allow U.N. sanctions on Iran’s missile program to expire, further enhancing Iran’s capacity to purchase and supply missiles.
John Ratcliffe, former Director of National Intelligence, echoed these sentiments, indicating that the Biden administration’s hesitant reaction to various provocations has emboldened Iran. The recent direct attacks on Israel by Iran are seen as a culmination of ongoing aggressive policies by Tehran, which have not met with significant resistance or repercussions from the U.S.
On the defensive, White House National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby countered the criticism by outlining the sanctions and measures still employed against Tehran. He pointed out that the Iran deal, abandoned by Trump, had kept Iran further from developing nuclear capabilities than the current situation.
Despite these assurances, the effectiveness of diplomatic and economic sanctions is being questioned, with Israeli and international security experts advocating for a more robust and proactive stance against Iranian aggression. The recent attacks represent a new level of direct confrontation by Iran, suggesting that current containment and diplomatic strategies may not be sufficient to curb Tehran’s regional ambitions and hostility towards Israel.