President Biden recently expressed his concerns about potential attacks on Israel by Iran, stating that he expects such actions to occur 'sooner than later.' Tensions between the two Middle Eastern countries have been escalating, with Biden emphasizing the United States' commitment to supporting and defending Israel against any threats.
Following an Israeli strike on Iran's Damascus consulate in Syria, Biden was asked about the likelihood of an attack on Israel from Tehran. While refraining from divulging specific details, he indicated that the threat is imminent. He reiterated the U.S.'s dedication to Israel's defense and emphasized that Iran's attempts to harm Israel would not succeed.
In response to questions about his message to Tehran, Biden simply stated, 'Don't,' before walking away. The situation intensified as sirens sounded in northern Israel, signaling the detection of 40 launches from Lebanese territory, some of which were intercepted by the Israel Defense Forces.
The IDF successfully thwarted two Hezbollah explosive UAVs that had crossed into Israeli territory from Lebanon, a group supported by Iran. Hezbollah has been launching rockets into Israel regularly since early October. In light of these developments, the U.S. is deploying 'additional assets' to the Middle East to enhance regional deterrence efforts and bolster force protection for U.S. troops.
U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, emphasized the need for vigilance in monitoring the situation, citing the credible threat posed by Iran. The U.S. is closely coordinating with Israeli counterparts to ensure they have the necessary support for self-defense. Kirby highlighted the importance of assessing the U.S.'s own posture in the region to ensure preparedness for any potential escalation.
