Biden says US committed to defend Israel against 'all threats from Iran'

U.S. President Joe Biden has told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington is committed to defending Israel's security "against all threats from Iran," the White House said, after the assassination of a top Hamas leader in Tehran.

Biden, who was joined on the call by Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris, also emphasized the "ongoing efforts to de-escalate broader tensions in the region," the White House said Thursday in a statement.

The call between the leaders also came after Israel announced it had "eliminated Hezbollah military commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut.

Netanyahu's government has not commented on the slaying of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, but the Palestinian militant group has blamed Israel.

Biden "reaffirmed his commitment to Israel's security against all threats from Iran, including its proxy terrorist groups Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis," the White House said in a readout of the president's call with Netanyahu.

"The president discussed efforts to support Israel's defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive U.S. military deployments," it said.

Israel has said the assassination of Shukur was a response to deadly rocket fire from the Lebanese group last week on the annexed Golan Heights.

Hezbollah has exchanged near-daily fire with Israel in south Lebanon since the Gaza war began.

Biden said late Thursday he’s “very concerned” that the violence in the Middle East could escalate, adding that the killing of Haniyeh in Iran has “not helped” efforts to negotiate a cease-fire in Israel’s war with Gaza.

Biden said he’d had a “very direct” conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the day, repeating “very direct” for emphasis.

He added: “We have the basis for a cease-fire. He should move on it and they should move on it now.”

Biden spoke on the tarmac of an air base outside Washington after welcoming back to the United States three Americans who were freed in a prisoner swap earlier in the day.