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NEW DELHI: The White House said on Friday that Iran’s threats towards Israel, following a strike in Syria resulting in the death of two Iranian generals earlier this, are still considered “real”.
“We still deem the potential threat by Iran here to be real, to be viable,” national security council spokesman John Kirby said.
Kirby declined to confirm allegations that US officials believed an Iranian strike was “imminent” or to comment on whether the US would assist in shooting down any Iranian missiles fired at Israel.
“I would just say that we’re watching this very, very closely,” Kirby said, further adding that Washington would make sure the Israelis “have what they need and that they’re able to defend themselves.”
US President Joe Biden had warned on Wednesday that Iran is “threatening to launch a significant attack on Israel.”
In a stark warning, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Wednesday that Israel “must be punished and it shall be,” labeling the airstrike as an assault on Iranian territory. Tehran’s mission to the United Nations echoed this sentiment, criticizing the lack of a UN Security Council condemnation of the strike, which it argued could have prevented further escalation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s readiness to defend itself amidst ongoing military operations in Gaza. “Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We are prepared to meet all of the security needs of the State of Israel, both defensively and offensively,” Netanyahu stated during a visit to an air force base.
“We still deem the potential threat by Iran here to be real, to be viable,” national security council spokesman John Kirby said.
Kirby declined to confirm allegations that US officials believed an Iranian strike was “imminent” or to comment on whether the US would assist in shooting down any Iranian missiles fired at Israel.
“I would just say that we’re watching this very, very closely,” Kirby said, further adding that Washington would make sure the Israelis “have what they need and that they’re able to defend themselves.”
US President Joe Biden had warned on Wednesday that Iran is “threatening to launch a significant attack on Israel.”
In a stark warning, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Wednesday that Israel “must be punished and it shall be,” labeling the airstrike as an assault on Iranian territory. Tehran’s mission to the United Nations echoed this sentiment, criticizing the lack of a UN Security Council condemnation of the strike, which it argued could have prevented further escalation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s readiness to defend itself amidst ongoing military operations in Gaza. “Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We are prepared to meet all of the security needs of the State of Israel, both defensively and offensively,” Netanyahu stated during a visit to an air force base.
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