Biden says he does not want the Middle East conflict 'spreading' in talks with Iraqi Prime Minister: President reiterates that he is 'committed to Israel's security'... while also demanding a Gaza ceasefire

President Joe Biden on Monday said he did not want the Middle East conflict 'spreading' and reiterated his demand for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

'The United States is committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home and prevent the conflict from spreading,' Biden said in the Oval Office ahead of his meeting with and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shyaa Al-Sudani. 

'The United States if committed' to Israel's security, he added.

Biden has been focused on stopping the war in the Middle East from escalating after Iran attacked Israel on Saturday. 

He's also been pushing for a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza strip so hostages can be released and humanitarian aid can enter the region. 

Complicating matters was Iran's attack on Israel over the weekend. Biden's meeting with the Iraqi prime minister was scheduled long before Tehran fired over 300 missiles at Tel Aviv.

The United States has had a military presence in Iraq for two-decade. On Saturday evening, a U.S. Patriot battery in Irbil, Iraq, shot down at least one Iranian ballistic missile, according to American officials.

The U.S. helped bring down dozens of missiles and drones to defend Israel. 

However, Iranian proxies have initiated attacks against U.S. interests throughout the Middle East from inside Iraq. Those ongoing strikes have made U.S.-Iraq discussions about regional stability and future U.S. troop deployments all the more critical.

'Our partnership is pivotal for our nations, the Middle East and the world,' Biden told al-Sudani, as the Iraqi leader noted the discussion comes at a 'sensitive time.'  

Meanwhile, the White House on Monday said Iran 'utterly failed' in its attack on Israel as it tries to persuade Israel's war cabinet not to retaliate for the 350-missile blitz amid fears the conflict will spiral into all-out war in the Middle East.

The White House has emphasized that President Biden is pushing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take the win.

'The president, in his conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu lauded the amazing success that they had in shooting down a vast, vast majority of the missiles and drones that were fired at them. Very few impacts, no casualties,' said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby on NBC's Today Show. 

'It was an incredible achievement. And he urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to consider the impact of that great success not only in Israel's military superiority but also that Iran had utterly failed in what they tried to do.'

Biden is facing mounting pressure to contain the crisis, with defense experts claiming the president has allowed the conflict in Gaza to spread and that the expanding battle lines risk pulling in allies including the US.

The Israeli government said it is discussing further steps.

Kirby said Monday morning it was unclear what Israel would ultimately do.

'We don't have any indication that they have made a decision,' he said on ABC's Good Morning America, 'or what they might do. Obviously, this is for them to decide and to speak to.'

And Kirby told the Today Show: 'The president made it clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu that there was much to be proud of the other night in terms of the military success. The president has been very clear in multiple venues that we do not seek a war with Iran. We don't want to see a wider war in the region.'

Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones on Saturday in response to a drone strike in Syria that killed 12 Iranians, including two top generals. 

Israeli defense forces - along with coalition partners that include the U.S., the UK, Jordan and France - shot down 99% of those aerial missiles.  

Biden spoke with Netanyahu in a late-night phone call on Saturday and made it clear that US forces would not participate any further.

The president has urged Netanyahu not to respond to the attacks by retaliating against Iran. 

'You got a win. Take the win,' Biden reportedly told Netanyahu. 

The Israeli Prime Minister's war cabinet is in favor of a reaction - but is divided over the timing and scale of any such response, according to reports. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. is coordinating a diplomatic response to the Iranian attack intended to prevent further escalation. 

'Strength and wisdom must be the two sides of the same coin,' Blinken said in what seems to be a message for Israel.