Iran 'broadly complicit' in Hamas attack on Israel: White House

The White House has accused Iran of being "complicit, in a broad sense," in Hamas attack in which thousands have been killed as the Israel-Hamas war has spiralled into the fifth day today. "We've said since the beginning that Iran is complicit in a broad sense because they have provided the lion's share of the funding for the military wing of Hamas, they've provided training, they have provided capabilities, they have provided support and they've had engagement and contact with Hamas over years and years, and all of that that has played a role in contributing to what we have seen," , White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said at a press briefing.

"Now, as to the question of whether Iran knew about this attack in advance or helped plan or direct this attack, we do not, as of the moment I'm standing here at the podium, have confirmation of that," he added.

Iran had earlier rejected allegations it had a role in the massive assault on Israel by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas though it was one of the first countries to hail the Hamas assault. "The accusations linked to an Iranian role... are based on political reasons," an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman said. The Islamic republic, he said, does not intervene "in the decision-making of other countries, including Palestine". The Palestinians had "the necessary capacity and will to defend their nation and recover their rights" without any help from Tehran, the spokesperson added. Iran does not recognise Israel and has made support for the Palestinian cause a centrepiece of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The White House spokesperson also said that many Americans who are being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. Releasing them is a high priority, he said.

US President Joe Biden has held more than a dozen meetings over Saturday, Sunday, and Monday with his national security team. Biden has called the strike on Israel “pure, unadulterated evil,” “sheer evil” and “indiscriminate evil.”

“In this moment, we must be crystal clear: We stand with Israel. We stand with Israel,” Biden said, shortly after getting off a call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “And we will make sure Israel has what it needs to take care of its citizens, defend itself, and respond to this attack.”