STORY: Biden seemingly opposes Israel attacking Iran's oil facilities
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 4, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 5, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:06
LOCATION: Washington D.C.
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOE BIDEN, U.S. President
2. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JOE BIDEN, U.S. President
3. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): LAEL BRAINARD, Director of National Economic Council
4. various of exterior of the White House (Sept. 2, 2024)

STORYLINE:

In what seemed to be an expression of opposition to Israel conducting strikes on Iran's oil production facilities, U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters Friday he wouldn't do so if he were the one making a decision.

Biden made the remarks as he appeared for the first time at the White House press briefing during his presidency.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOE BIDEN, U.S. President
"Look, the Israelis have not concluded how they're -- what they're going to do in terms of a strike. That's under discussion. I think there are -- if I were in their shoes, I'd be thinking about other alternatives than striking oil fields."

The remarks came as the United States is still in discussions with Israel about how Israel will retaliate against Iran's missile attacks on Tuesday. The president said officials in his administration have been in contact with their Israeli counterparts "12 hours a day," including "interface" between military leaders and diplomats of the two countries.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JOE BIDEN, U.S. President
"They are trying to figure out this is high holidays as well. They're not going to make a decision immediately and so we're going to wait to see what they -- when they want to talk."

Lael Brainard, director of the National Economic Council who took to the podium after Biden wrapped up his remarks, said the United States is closely tracking global oil markets amid high tensions in the Middle East.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): LAEL BRAINARD, Director of National Economic Council
"We have really effective ways of addressing some of those geo-strategic volatility. We've used it in the past. We have the capacity to use it again. So right now, markets are very well supplied, and we anticipate them to remain so."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Washington D.C.
(XHTV)