American forces They shot down some of the Iranian drones that they were heading toward Israel, a US official confirmed to ABC News. Previously, the United States assured that it was prepared for help intercept any weapon launched against its ally while the Biden administration is on high alert.
Biden met with the council of National Security in the White House, where they monitor the attack that is being carried out by Iran. The meeting is attended by, among others, the Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken; the secretary of defense, Lloyd Austin; the director of the CIA, Bill Burns and the White House advisor, Jake Sullivan.
“I just met with my national security team to get an update on the Iran attacks on Israel. “Our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad,” Biden said. through social networks at the end of the meeting. Furthermore, the President had issued a severe public warning to Tehran before the media: ”Do not do it”.
President Biden had shortened his weekend vacation and returned to the White House on Saturday for consultations before the possible attack, which ended up happening. A senior US official told ABC News that they believe 400-500 drones and missiles will be launched against Israel from Iraq, Syria, southern Lebanon and the Houthis (from Yemen)but that most of it will be launched from Iran.
Late Friday, the United States believed that Iranian proxies could also be involved in the upcoming attacks, according to a senior administration official and a source familiar with the intelligence, and that the targets would likely be both inside Israel and around the region. region. The willingness of the United States to intercept weapons launched against Israel marked a clear indication of the current level of cooperation between the two armies.
The United States had observed Iran moving military assets internally, including drones and cruise missiles, indicating that it was preparing to attack Israeli targets from within its own territory, according to two people familiar with US intelligence. One of the people said the United States had observed Iran preparing up to 100 cruise missiles.
Joe Biden’s statements at a press conference
At the White House on Friday, Biden, responding to questions from reporters including whether American troops were at risk, emphasized his administration’s commitment to Israel’s security.
“We are dedicated to the defense of Israel”said. “We will support Israel, we will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed”.
There remains a “real,” “credible” and “viable” threat of Iran launching attacks, the White House said Friday, following Israel’s attack on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria last week that killed three Iranian generals. .
Biden, who warned this week that Iran was threatening a “significant attack” against Israel, has been receiving constant updates on the situation from his national security team.
US Navy forces in the Red Sea have previously intercepted long-range missiles launched from the Houthis in Yemen towards Israel. US forces in Iraq and Syria could also intercept drones and rockets aimed at northern Israel, depending on where they are launched from.
The Department of Defense also moved additional assets to the Middle East region “to bolster regional deterrence efforts and increase protection of U.S. forces”a US defense official told CNN, as Israel and the United States prepared for a possible Iranian attack.
The Pentagon has been working specifically to bolster the air defenses of U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Syria who were attacked by Iranian-backed proxy forces more than 100 times between October and February. In January, three U.S. service members were killed when a drone penetrated U.S. air defenses at the Tower 22 base in Jordan.
Statement by National Security Council Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on Attacks on Israel
The government of the United States of America released a statement through the White House website, where they confirmed a meeting between Joe Biden and the American national security team: ”Iran has initiated an air attack against Israel. His national security team regularly briefs President Biden on the situation and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House. “His team is in constant communication with Israeli officials, as well as other partners and allies.”
Furthermore, the statement details: ”This attack is likely to take place over several hours. President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is strong. “The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”
Source: Ambito
