As Israel is bracing for an attack by Iran in retaliation for airstrikes on its consulate in Syria nearly two weeks before, US President Joe Biden renewed support for the Jewish state while launching a warning to Iran. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Biden advised Iran against attacking Israel. "Don't," he simply said, underscoring Washington's commitment to defend its ally.
"We are devoted to the defence of Israel. We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed. Thank you very much," Joe Biden added.
Here are the top developments in this story:
US officials who mentioned Iran readying drones and missiles to attack Israel told CBS News that it would be challenging for the Jewish state to defend an attack of that magnitude. They, however, held out the possibility that Iran could go for a smaller-scale attack to keep larger military tension at bay.
The US military repositioned two destroyers on Friday in the Middle East to help defend Israel and American forces in the event of a much-anticipated attack from Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported. One destroyer was already in the region while a second was redirected. One of the destroyers reportedly features the Aegis missile-defense system.
Several countries have issued travel advisories to their citizens and embassy officials in Israel amid an impending Iranian threat. France, Poland, Russia and India are some of the nations that have issued advisories. The US has asked its embassy officials and their family members to restrict travel outside Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva in Israel.
Iran has reportedly signalled that their response to the April 1 airstrikes will be aimed at avoiding major escalation and won't be done hastily. The message was conveyed by Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian to the US during a recent visit to Oman, news agency Reuters reported.
Israel did not claim responsibility for the airstrike on Iran consulate in Syria on April 1. However, the Pentagon confirmed the same. The strike led to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei saying that an attack on Israel was "inevitable" and that the Jewish state "shall be punished".
