WASHINGTON — US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday (Oct 2) he would not support any Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear sites in response to its ballistic missile attack and urged Israel to act "proportionally" against its regional arch-foe.

Biden spoke a day after Iran fired more than 180 missiles at Israel, an operation he previously described as "ineffective." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Iran would pay for the attack.

"We'll be discussing with the Israelis what they're going to do, but all seven of us (G7 nations) agree that they have a right to respond but they should respond proportionally," Biden told reporters before boarding Air Force One.

Some analysts said Israel's response would likely be sharper than when Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel in April, suggesting this time it could target Tehran's nuclear or oil facilities. Other experts expected the US to try again to moderate Israel's response in an effort to avoid a regional war.

Asked whether he would back Israel striking Iranian nuclear sites as it has long threatened, Biden told reporters: "The answer is no."

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