President Biden Meets with Security Team Amid Rising Tensions with Iran

In a significant development, President Biden is set to convene with his national security team in the Situation Room today, as the U.S. anticipates an imminent Iranian attack against Israel. This high-level meeting follows a crucial conversation on Sunday between Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and his Israeli counterpart, emphasizing unwavering U.S. support for Israel amid escalating tensions with Iran and its proxies.

For the past ten months, Israel has been engaged in intense conflict with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, a situation that now threatens to expand into a broader regional war. In their discussions, Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reviewed U.S. force posture moves aimed at enhancing the protection of U.S. forces, supporting Israel’s defense, and working to de-escalate the region’s tensions, according to a Pentagon readout.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel is already in a “multi-front war” with Iran and its allies. This statement comes after the recent assassinations of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon and Hamas’ top political leader in Iran, events for which Iran and its affiliates have blamed Israel, promising retaliation.

In response to these developments, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has reportedly cautioned that Iran and Hezbollah might launch an attack on Israel as soon as today. To coordinate defenses and preparations, Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, head of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), is expected to arrive in Israel.

The situation in Israel is tense, with residents preparing bomb shelters and recalling Iran’s direct military assault in April, which was triggered by a suspected Israeli strike that killed two Iranian generals. Despite the interception of most drones and missiles during that attack, the threat remains palpable.

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), reiterated Israel’s resolve: “For years, Iran has been arming and financing terrorist organizations across the Middle East. The IDF and ISA have thwarted numerous attacks and remain determined to combat Iranian terrorism.”

The current conflict began with a devastating attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the taking of around 250 hostages. Israel’s subsequent retaliations have led to significant casualties and displacement in Gaza.