Is Netanyahu trying to draw US into Middle East war?

Members of the House of Representatives loaded up the schedule with several bills strengthening US sanctions and other financial pressure against the Iranian government this week and fought back against the idea that Israel is trying to lead the US into war.

That charge was levelled in an article published by NBC News on Sunday; the news outlet reported that Mr Biden had “privately” expressed to aides and staff that Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu “is trying to drag Washington into a broader conflict”.

The accusation, not yet levelled or defended publicly by the White House, insinuates that Mr Biden and his administration have even less pull in Jerusalem than previously thought.

On Tuesday, lawmakers who gathered on Capitol Hill for a briefing hosted by the Organization of Iranian American Communities (OIAC) spoke to The Independent about the president’s reported worry. Those who attended Tuesday’s briefing did so in support of a resolution sponsored by dozens of Republicans and Democrats affirming support for the right of Iranian demonstrators to seek a democratic alternative to the regime and trended on the hawkish side of the foreign policy aisle.

Brad Sherman, the number two Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, firmly rejected both the idea that Israel’s leadership was trying to drag the US into a broader conflict as well as the concept that such a development was even possible. He also cast doubt on NBC’s reporting.

“A lot of things are reported in a lot of places,” he said with some scepticism. “I don’t believe he’s said that.”

“I don't think that Israel wants a war with Iran. I don't think Israel wants to, quote, ‘draw America into a war with Iran.’ And I don't think it's possible to draw America into a