Israeli defence forces said yesterday that Iran had launched drones toward Tel Aviv; an attack that the U.S. and Israel had warned was possible amid escalating tensions between the two countries.
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters that Israel was tracking the threat in its airspace, noting that drones fired from Iran would take several hours to reach Israel.
The White House confirmed the attack, issuing a statement from National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson that said, “Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel.”
“President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House,” the statement from Watson read, adding: “This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours.”
President Biden decided to cut his weekend visit to Delaware short, returning to the White House yesterday to meet with his national security team amid growing concerns about an imminent attack on Israel by Iran.
The Iran attack followed Israel’s recent attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria which killed seven Iranian military advisers.
On Friday, Biden said he expected Iran to attack “sooner than later,” issuing a one-word warning to officials in Tehran: “Don’t.”
Biden says he expects Iran to attack Israel ‘sooner than later’
Speaking to reporters after delivering remarks virtually to the National Action Network Convention, President Biden said, US is devoted to the defense of Israel.
The U.S. has taken steps in recent days to protect Americans in Israel and prepare U.S. troops and warships in the region to defend Israel in the event of a direct attack.
With the latest news out of Israel on Saturday, it appears that Iran has ignored Biden’s warning. Here’s a look at how we got here, and what could happen next.
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