By Andrea Shalal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday mentioned he anticipated Iran to assault Israel “sooner, slightly than later” and warned Tehran to not proceed.
Requested by reporters about his message to Iran, Biden mentioned merely, “Do not,” and he underscored Washington’s dedication to defend Israel.
“We’re dedicated to the protection of Israel. We’ll assist Israel. We’ll assist defend Israel and Iran is not going to succeed,” he mentioned.
Israel braced on Friday for an assault by Iran or its proxies as warnings grew of retaliation for an assault on Iran’s embassy compound final week in Damascus that killed a senior commander within the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ abroad Quds Power and 6 different officers.
Israel didn’t declare accountability for the airstrike on April 1. However Iran’s supreme chief, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, mentioned Israel “should be punished and shall be” for an operation he mentioned was equal to an assault on Iranian soil.
Biden mentioned he wouldn’t reveal safe data, however mentioned his expectation was that an assault by Iran might come “sooner, slightly than later.” He spoke to reporters on the White Home after a digital speech to a civil rights convention.
The U.S. rushed warships into place to guard Israel and American forces within the area, hoping to move off a direct assault from Iran on Israel that would come as quickly as Friday or Saturday, the Wall Avenue Journal reported on Friday.
The strikes by the U.S. which can be a part of an effort to keep away from a wider battle within the Center East got here after a warning from an individual conversant in the matter concerning the timing and placement of the potential Iranian assault, the newspaper mentioned.
Nonetheless, an individual briefed by the Iranian management mentioned that whereas plans to assault are being mentioned, no remaining choice has been made, the Journal mentioned.
Nations together with India, France, Poland and Russia have warned their residents towards journey to the area, already on edge over the warfare in Gaza, now in its seventh month. Germany on Friday known as on its residents to depart Iran.
Earlier, White Home spokesperson John Kirby (NYSE:) mentioned the reportedly imminent assault by Iran on Israel was an actual and viable risk, however gave no particulars about any attainable timing.
Kirby mentioned america was taking a look at its personal drive posture within the area in gentle of Tehran’s risk and was watching the scenario very intently.
