Israel’s next moves and the retaliation it decides to use in response to Iran’s missile attack are expected to determine whether the cycle of violence in the Middle East will expand.

The Israeli counter-attack could be the turning point, as Iran has announced that its aggression does not stop with Tuesday’s strike, but could be followed by another cycle, which will include overwhelming strikes against Israel and its allies if they are actively involved in the attacks against him.

Biden: We’re talking about striking Iran’s oil facilities

And while the international community is waiting with bated breath for Israel’s decisions, with analysts indulging in assessments of the way it will choose to strike, the American president, Joe Biden, with his statement on Thursday, left open the possibility of an Israeli strike on Iran’s oil facilities.

It is noted that Israel has announced that its response will be harsh but will come after coordination with the US.

On Thursday, Joe Biden, when asked if he would support an attack on Iran’s oil infrastructure, replied “we’re talking about it,” sending the price of crude oil soaring 5%.

The US president had previously said he would not support an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

Warnings and threats from Iran

Confirming the vicious cycle of violence the Middle East has entered, Iran has warned Washington that a major Israeli strike would lead to attacks on Israeli infrastructure and countries that help in that direction.

In particular, in a statement issued by the Iranian mission to the UN in New York, Iran states: If any country provides aid to Israel, it will also be considered an accomplice and a legitimate target. We advise countries to refrain from engaging in the conflict between the Israeli regime and Iran and to distance themselves from hostilities.

Iran also stressed that no messages would be sent to “aggressors” except through Swiss diplomats, the country designated to relay Iranian messages to the US. There was a belief that Iran was using Qatar as an intermediary with the US.

General indications of Iranian escalation, especially if its nuclear facilities are struck, raise questions about whether Iran will retaliate by striking Israeli nuclear sites.

Pezeskian demanded neutrality from the Arab states

The warnings came as Iranian President Massoud Pezheskian sought assurances from Gulf states in Doha that they would remain neutral in the event of any joint Israeli-US attack on Iran.

Mahid Takht Ravandsi, the political deputy in Iran’s foreign ministry, also held talks with international diplomats in Tehran, warning that if Israel challenges Iranian sovereignty again, it will receive “a crushing and instructive response.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is set to lead Friday prayers in Tehran, while his foreign minister, Abbas Araghtsi, will travel to Beirut to discuss whether there is a chance of a ceasefire revival.

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, confirmed his country’s “full support” to Lebanon against the “brutal attacks they are suffering”.

In a post on X on Thursday, he said he had ordered “swift action and all necessary resources” to provide humanitarian aid to “all displaced persons and those affected by this aggression.” He added:

He added that “the failure of the international community to stop the war in Gaza was the green light for the extension of the conflict.”