US President Joe Biden will gather his national security team in the situation room on Monday to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East, as the White House stated that the US believes an Iranian attack on Israel is imminent.
Additionally, Biden will have a conversation with Jordan’s King Abdullah, according to the White House. This communication follows a recent visit by Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi to Iran, as the US and its partners, including France, Britain, Italy, and Egypt, continue diplomatic efforts to prevent any further escalation in the region.
On Sunday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken informed counterparts from G7 countries that the US has information suggesting that an Iranian attack on Israel may take place within the next 24 to 48 hours, as reported by Axios, citing sources briefed on the call.
As the US believes an Iranian attack is inevitable, Blinken told the officials on the call that pressuring Tehran to limit its assault is the best way to avoid regional war.
Israel would consider launching a preemptive strike to deter Iran if it uncovered airtight evidence that Tehran was preparing to mount an attack, Hebrew media reported after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened Israel’s security chiefs for a meeting on Sunday evening.
The meeting, attended by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, Mossad head David Barnea and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, was held amid preparations for anticipated attacks on Israel by Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah following the assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr in Beruit.
The assessment that Iran is likely to attack Israel in the coming days or weeks follows last week’s back-to-back assassinations of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran has blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death and has vowed to retaliate.
Israel is not certain what to expect from Iran and its proxies, reports have estimated, and so is discussing a wide range of options as to how it can best respond to, or prevent, an anticipated assault.
