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© AP
Iran’s threats to attack Israel are “real” and “credible.” This was stated by White House spokesman John Kirby on Friday. He did not provide details on the timing and targets of a possible attack. The US has now decided to send reinforcements to the Middle East.
Source: BELGA
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President Joe Biden “has been repeatedly briefed by his national security team” and the US intends to “do everything possible to ensure Israel can defend itself,” Kirby added. Biden has promised Israel “unwavering” support in the face of the threat from Iran.
Bloomberg news agency writes, based on sources with information from Western intelligence services, that Israel is considering an attack within 48 hours.
Israel assures that it stands “side by side” with the United States. “Our enemies think they can separate Israel and the United States, but the opposite is true: they bring us closer together and strengthen our ties,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Friday after a meeting with the US general Michael Erik Kurilla, who visited Israel. “We are ready to defend ourselves on the ground and in the air, in close cooperation with our partners. We will know how to respond,” Gallant added.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have risen following an airstrike on the grounds of the Iranian embassy in Syria. Seven members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, including two generals, died in that April 1 attack. Iran holds Israel responsible and has since threatened retaliation. Such an attack could lead to a major war in the Middle East.
Strengthening
The United States also announced Friday that it is sending reinforcements to the Middle East as fears grow in the region of an attack by Iran on Israel in retaliation for the deadly Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
“We are deploying additional resources in the region to strengthen regional deterrence and increase the protection of U.S. forces,” said a senior U.S. defense official who spoke on condition of anonymity. He did not specify which reinforcements were involved.
