Welcome to The Hill's Defense & NatSec newsletter{beacon} Defense &National Security Defense &National Security   The Big Story  Should Israel strike Iranian oil or nuclear facilities?President Biden does not support Israel striking at Iranian nuclear facilities, but he said there were discussions on hitting oil targets. © This satellite photo from Planet Labs PBC shows Iran's Natanz nuclear site near Natanz, Iran, on April 14, 2023. (Planet Labs PBC via AP) After a massive Iranian attack of some 180 ballistic missiles this week, Israel is weighing a potentially deadly response.   The pending Israeli attack is stirring up a debate in Washington, with some arguing it was fair game to hit Iran's nuclear sites.  "Iran is not trying to build peaceful nuclear power plants," said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in a statement. "The idea of telling Israel what targets to strike ignores reality.”  But Biden pumped the brakes Thursday on targeting nuclear facilities. "They have a right to respond, but they should respond proportionally,” he said. Biden also weighed in on a potential Israeli strike on Iranian oil. He said Friday that strikes on oil were "under discussion."  "The Israelis have not concluded what they’re going to do in terms of a strike," he said at a briefing. "If I were in their shoes I'd be thinking about other alternatives than striking oil fields."  Taking out Iran's nuclear capabilities could also be difficult since they are spread out, and it could encourage Tehran to build nuclear weapons they have been on the verge of creating for years.  Oil prices jolted amid concerns that Israel could launch such an attack, but while a strike on Iranian oil sites could sow disruption, analysts told Politico that global oil markets have diversified and are more insulated than in the past. On Friday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned in a rare speech Friday that his forces carried out in Tuesday's missile strike a "brilliant" attack that "was the least punishment" for Israel.  Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned earlier this week that Israel will receive a "crushing" response if it oversteps in its retaliation. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled Friday to Beirut in a show of support for Hezbollah, which is now fending off an Israeli ground incursion.   Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I'm Brad Dress — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.  Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.   Essential Reads  How policy will affect defense and national security now and inthe future:  US strikes 15 Houthi targets in Yemen: PentagonThe U.S. military struck more than a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, attacking the Iranian proxy’s bases and weapons systems, according to the Pentagon. U.S. Central Command (Centcom) forces conducted strikes on 15 Houthi targets around 5 p.m. local time. The targets included “Houthi offensive military capabilities,” according to a statement from the command, which is responsible for protecting U.S. interests in the …  Full Story  Democrats suspect Netanyahu attempting to tilt Trump-Harris race Democrats increasingly suspect Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to interfere in U.S. domestic politics by ignoring President Biden’s calls to negotiate a peace deal in Gaza and by confronting Hezbollah and Iran weeks before the U.S. election. The rapidly escalating confrontation between Israel, Hezbollah and Hezbollah’s ally, Iran, has undercut Biden’s efforts to achieve peace through diplomacy ...  Full Story   Biden: ‘I don’t know’ if Netanyahu trying to influence electionPresident Biden on Friday said he wasn’t aware of whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was trying to influence the U.S. election, while noting no administration has been a stronger ally to Israel than his own. In his first briefing room appearance of his presidency, Biden addressed Democratic concerns that the Israeli leader is ignoring Biden’s call to negotiate a Gaza peace deal and confronting Hezbollah …  Full Story  US, South Korea reach tentative cost-sharing deal for US troops The United States and South Korea on Friday announced a new cost-sharing deal that would see Seoul spend more to host American troops. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the agreement was reached on a new five-year Special Measures Agreement with South Korea after eight rounds of negotiations. “The agreement will be a significant accomplishment for both sides, and will strengthen our Alliance and our shared …  Full Story   On Our Radar  Upcoming things we're watching on our beat:  U.S. Transportation Command swore in a new commander on Friday, Gen. Randy Reed, at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.  In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Trump slams Biden for saying Israel shouldn’t target Iranian nuclear sites: ‘The craziest thing I’ve ever heard’ Former President Trump slammed President Biden for saying that Israel should not target Iranian nuclear sites, arguing the commander-in-chief’s remark was “not the right answer.” Full Story   On Tap for Monday  Events in and around the defense world:  The Center for Strategic and International Studies looks at the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks during a 9 a.m. ET online event. The National Defense Industrial Association holds a biannual conference on addressing major security challenges. The Armed Forces Communications & Electronics Association hosts a conference in Virginia, which U.S. military officials are expected to attended. The Ohio Defense & Aerospace Forum two-day conference begins on Monday to discuss the current defense environment. The National Defense Transportation Association and U.S. Transportation Command host a fall meeting to discuss logistics and issues in transportation.  What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets: Harris foreign policy spotlights international order, rules and norms (Nikkei Asia) Inside the State Department’s weapons pipeline to Israel (ProPublica) Iranian missiles hit Israeli military sites, visuals shows (The Washington Post) Massacre in Burkina Faso left 600 dead, double previous estimates, according to French security assessment (CNN)  Trending Today  Two key stories on The Hill right now: Pilot flying Helene rescue missions in NC threatened with arrest The fire official told him to tell any other pilots he knew they would also be arrested if they came back. Read more White House bashes GOP ‘lies’ about FEMA funds The White House bashed Republicans on Friday for what it argues are lies about the Hurricane Helene federal response effort. The White House focused … Read more  Opinions in The Hill Op-ed related to defense & national security submitted to The Hill: The Ships for America Act would be good for the Navy as well  You're all caught up. See you next week!  Close Thank you for signing up! Subscribe to more newsletters here The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Defense and National Security newsletter Subscribe