The White House warned on Monday that Iran might launch a significant attack against Israel within the week.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby highlighted the urgency of preparing for possible aggressive actions. “We must be ready for a significant set of attacks,” Kirby told reporters.
Kirby also mentioned the shared concerns with Israeli officials regarding the potential timing of these attacks. This announcement coincided with the U.S. deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and a guided missile submarine to the region to support Israel.
The escalation follows vows from Iran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah to retaliate for last month’s killings of Hamas’s political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.
Additionally, President Joe Biden discussed the mounting tensions with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and Britain. They reiterated their support for Israel’s defence and expressed a unified stance against escalating violence and potential attacks by Iran or its proxies.
The leaders also advocated for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, setting the stage for challenging negotiations on Thursday. These talks aim to resolve the conflict that erupted after Hamas’s attacks on Israel on October 7.
