U.S. considers strikes on Iran's oil facilities

The U.S. is discussing strikes on Iran’s oil facilities as retaliation for Tehran’s missile attack on Israel.

That's according to President Joe Biden. Israel is weighing its options after Iran launched its largest ever assault. Biden was asked whether he would support Israel striking Iran’s oil facilities. “We're in discussion about that. I think that would be a little, anyway.”

His comments contributed to a surge in global oil prices due to the rising Middle East tensions. The President also emphasized that no immediate action was planned but reassured that Israel would respond to Iran’s aggression. A U.S. official said Washington does not believe Israel has decided yet how to respond to Iran.

However, Biden said he would not support any Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear sites. Meanwhile Israel continued to target Hezbollah in Lebanon – launching new airstrikes on Beirut.

Israel appeared to be targeting Hezbollah strongholds with reports of heavy bombardment in the Dahiye area. Residents say Israel ordered people to leave their homes in parts of the district.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed Iran will pay for Tuesday's missile attack, and Washington said it would work with its longtime ally to ensure Iran faced "severe consequences."

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking in Doha, said that Tehran would be ready to respond.

Israel says its operations in Lebanon aim to help tens of thousands of its citizens to return home after areas near its northern border were forced to evacuate by Hezbollah attacks during the Gaza war.

Meanwhile, over 1.2 million Lebanese have been displaced, with nearly 2,000 casualties reported since the escalation of Israeli attacks in the past year, primarily in the last two weeks.