There remains a “real,” “credible” and “viable” threat of Iranian retaliatory strikes against Israel, the White House said Friday, as President Joe Biden receives constant updates on the situation from his national security team.
“We’re watching this very, very closely,” said John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, who declined to provide information about the expected timing of the threat.
But he said US officials were in “constant communication” with their Israeli counterparts about the matter and that steps were underway to ensure Israel is able to defend itself.
“We are certainly mindful of a very public and what we consider to be a very credible threat made by Iran in terms of potential attacks on Israel,” Kirby said Friday.
He pointed to a visit to Israel on Friday by US Central Command chief Gen. Erik Kurilla to have “those conversations directly with his IDF counterparts.”
Biden is receiving briefings multiple times a day on the situation, Kirby said.
“He has made it clear to the entire national security team that that we will take seriously our commitments to the defense, the self-defense of Israel,” Kirby said.
The US is also assessing its own posture in the region ahead of the potential retaliatory attack.
“It would be imprudent if we didn’t take a look at our own posture in the region to make sure that we’re properly prepared,” he said.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
