President Biden will hold an emergency meeting on national security after Iran launched a drone attack on Israel.
A National Security Council spokesperson said the White House meeting will take place Saturday afternoon, hours after Biden canceled his weekend getaway in Delaware and rushed back to Washington, DC.
The spokesman said: ‘Iran has launched an airstrike against Israel. His national security team regularly briefs President Biden on the situation and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House.
‘His team is in constant communication with Israeli officials, as well as other partners and allies. This attack is likely to develop over several hours.
‘President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is strong. “The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”
President Biden is seen arriving at Gordons Pond in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on Saturday after canceling his break over Iran’s attack on Israel.
The president is seen boarding his Marine One helicopter. A national security meeting is held at the White House
Iran launched the drones on Saturday afternoon US time, and they are expected to take hours to reach their target.
A US security source told CNN that the bombing could last hours.
Israel has an “iron dome” security system that can shoot down enemy missiles, although it is unclear whether it can withstand the full force of Iran’s attack.
According to three security sources, dozens of drones were seen flying from Iran over the neighboring Iraqi province of Sulaymaniya.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said via state media that it had “launched extensive drone strikes against targets in occupied territories.”
Iranian media reported that a second wave of drones has been launched, although details of where they are currently located are not yet known.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said it would take several hours for the drones to reach Israel, adding that sirens would be sounded in threatened areas.
The IDF said: ‘The air defense array is on high alert at the same time as Air Force aircraft and Navy ships that have the mission of protecting the country’s skies. The IDF is monitoring all targets.
“We ask the public to respect and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the IDF’s official announcements on this matter.”
Tensions between Israel and Iran have increased enormously in recent weeks.
Iran has threatened to take revenge on Israel for razing its embassy in Damascus, Syria.
Neighboring countries appear to have begun preparations for an escalation of hostilities.
Jordan, Israel’s eastern neighbor, temporarily closed its airspace to all incoming, outgoing and internal flights.
The country’s air defense system is also ready to intercept and shoot down any drone or aircraft that violates its airspace, security sources said.
The military is also on high alert and radar systems are monitoring drone activity.
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