Biden Promises New Sanctions On Iran Following Missile Attack On Israel

President Biden Wednesday said Iran would face new sanctions following Tuesday's missile attack on Israel. Israeli leaders, meanwhile, were weighing exactly how they would respond, promising Iran would pay for its "big mistake."

The Biden administration and members of Congress have come out in strong support of Israel and its right to defend itself and answer the Iranian missile attack, noting it constituted a significant escalation of the conflict. Still, there are concerns that Israel's reply -- as justified as it might be -- would take the conflict up yet another notch.

"The situation in Israel is severe," said Senator James Lankford (R-OK) in an interview Wednesday in Tulsa.

Lankford says the Middle East is a powder keg right now and, perhaps understandably, many people worry that Iran's missile attack, coupled with a strong Israeli military reply, could set off a wider war.

"So, I think, Israel is facing challenges from Gaza, from Lebanon, from Yemen, and from Iran right now," Lankford said, "it already is a wider war right now."

Others in the delegation commented through social media.

“Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism and is a true enemy of America and our allies," Congressman Josh Brecheen (R-OK2) posted on X. “We support Israel’s right to defend itself from terror,"

“In this time of peril," said Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK4), also on X, "my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Israel. America must stand like a rock with Israel.”

At a hastily called meeting of the United Nations Security Council Wednesday, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield left no doubt America does stand with Israel.

"Let me be clear,” said Thomas-Greenfield, “the Iranian regime will be held responsible for its actions, and we strongly warn against Iran or its proxies taking actions against the United States or further actions against Israel."

As for the actions taken Tuesday — about 180 missiles launched at Israel — the State Department says Israel is considering its options, in consultation with the Biden administration.

“We have made very clear that this was an unprecedented escalation by Iran,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Wednesday. “Israel has a right to respond to it and we'll discuss that response with them.”

Meanwhile, President Biden told reporters he and other G7 leaders were planning a non-military response of their own.

“We are working on a joint statement all of us agree on.. and there are going to be some sanctions imposed on Iran.”

It's not yet clear what the sanctions will be.