U.S. President Joe Biden issued a stern warning to Iran on Friday, stating that he expected an attack on Israel to occur “sooner, rather than later.” In response to reporters’ questions about his message to Iran, Biden simply said, “Don’t,” emphasizing Washington’s unwavering commitment to defend Israel.
The tension between Iran and Israel escalated following an airstrike on Iran’s embassy compound in Damascus, which resulted in the death of a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force and six other officers. While Israel did not claim responsibility for the attack, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed that Israel “must be punished and shall be.”
In anticipation of a potential attack by Iran or its proxies, Israel braced itself for retaliation. The U.S. deployed warships to protect Israel and American forces in the region, aiming to prevent a direct assault from Iran. Reports indicated that the attack could occur as soon as Friday or Saturday.
Countries such as India, France, Poland, and Russia have cautioned their citizens against traveling to the region, which is already on edge due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Germany also urged its citizens to leave Iran amidst the escalating tensions.
White House spokesperson John Kirby confirmed the credible threat of an imminent attack by Iran on Israel but did not disclose specific details. The United States is closely monitoring the situation and evaluating its military posture in the region in response to Tehran’s threats.