United States: President Joe Biden is planning to meet his national security team in the Situation Room on Monday, following the anticipation of a probable Iranian attack against Israel.
More about the news
According to reports, VP Kamala Harris, a Democratic nominee, would also attend the meeting.
Following the talks between Secretary of Defense and Lloyd J. Austin III, who spoke with his counterpart in Israel Sunday to reaffirm US support for the country amid escalating tensions with Iran and its proxies, the meeting is decided to be conducted, as Fox News reported.
Discussions between US and Israeli
According to a Pentagon readout, Austin and Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant discussed the US force posture moves that the Defense Department is carrying out to strengthen protection for US forces in the region, support Israel’s defense, and deter and de-escalate broader tensions in the area.
Moreover, the meeting also came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intimated in a Cabinet meeting on Sunday that Israel is already in a “multi-front war” with Iran and its proxies.
Spawning tensions in the region
According to the Fox News reports, the tensions in the region are at all-time highs following the killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas’ top political leader in Iran last week.
Following the incident, Iran and its allied forces blamed Israel and threatened retaliation. However, Hamas has also declared that it will begin by deciding on its new leader.
Preparation of anticipated attack
Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, who is the head of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), arrived in Israel on Monday to make preparations for coordinating an anticipated attack, as per the Times of Israel.
According to an Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, “For years, Iran has been arming and financing terrorist organizations across the Middle East, including smuggling explosives into Israeli territory for terror attacks against civilians,” as Fox News reported.
“The IDF and ISA have already thwarted numerous attacks in which Claymore-type explosives were smuggled into the country’s territory. We are determined to continue acting against Iranian terrorism wherever it may be,” he added.