It is believed to be the first time the two leaders have spoken directly in weeks.

Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu agreed Wednesday to stay in "close contact" as Israel mulls its response to Iran, with the US leader also urging the Israeli premier to "minimize" harm to civilians in Lebanon, the White House said.

The US fears getting dragged into a war with Iran, while some Israelis want to deal it a body blow, Jeremy Bowen writes.

Israel’s defense minister warned on Wednesday that his country’s retaliation for a recent Iranian missile attack will be “lethal” and “surprising.”

Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken also participated in the conversation.

WASHINGTON - President Biden spoke on the phone Wednesday morning with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed Israel's plans to retaliate against Iran. Vice President Harris also joined the call, the White House said. The call was the first between Biden and Netanyahu since Aug. 21, and comes as Israel considers a major attack against Iran that could significantly escalate its regional war. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the call lasted 30 minutes and was "direct and productive." "On Lebanon, the President emphasized the need for a diplomatic arrangement to safely return both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line," the White House said in a readout. "The President affirmed Israel's right to protect its citizens from Hezbollah, which has fired thousands of missiles and rockets into Israel over the past year alone, while emphasizing the need to minimize harm to civilians, in particular in the densely populated areas of Beirut." "On Gaza…

President Biden's White House is growing increasingly distrustful of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's regime, according to a Tuesday report.