US will attempt to intercept strikes on 'Israel' when possible: CNN

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
13 Apr 2024 05:38

A US defense official tells CNN that the Pentagon is deploying extra assets to the Middle East "to bolster regional deterrence efforts."

In this picture released by the official website of the Iranian Army on Jan. 19, 2024, a missile is launched during a military drill in southern Iran. (Iranian Army via AP)

The United States will try to intercept any weapons aimed at "Israel" when it is possible to do so, CNN reported Friday citing two US officials.

In recent days, Iranian officials have vowed to retaliate against the Israeli aggression that targeted the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus, which resulted in the martyrdom of seven advisors from Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC).

A US defense official told CNN that the Pentagon is deploying extra assets to the Middle East "to bolster regional deterrence efforts and increase force protection for US forces."

But three US officials told Axios that Iran sent a message to the White House through mediators, explaining that if the United States gets involved on "Israel's" side in a possible confrontation, US forces in the region will be attacked.

"The Iranian message was we will attack the forces that attack us, so don't f**k with us and we won't f**k with you," a US official told Axios.

The US maintains that it had nothing to do with the original attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Syria. However, on a diplomatic level, the US has done everything possible to save "Israel's" face, failing to condemn the attack on the internationally protected compound.

On April 6, CNN cited a senior Biden administration official as saying that the United States is currently on high alert and actively preparing for a potentially "significant" Iranian attack.

The official mentioned that senior American and Israeli officials believe that an Iranian attack is "inevitable".

According to CNN, both governments are intensely coordinating their efforts to position themselves ahead of the anticipated strike. They anticipate that Iran's response could manifest in various forms, putting both US and Israeli assets and personnel at risk.

Biden says Iran's strike on 'Israel' 'sooner than later'

Earlier, US President Joe Biden said he was expecting Iran's retaliation against the Israeli strike "sooner than later," warning Tehran not to launch an attack on the Israeli occupation entity.

"I don't want to get into secure information but my expectation is sooner than later," Biden told reporters after an event.

Asked what his message was to Iran on striking "Israel", Biden said, "Don't."

The US President reiterated that Washington was "devoted to the defense of Israel, we will support Israel, we will help defend Israel," adding that "Iran will not succeed."

Iranian threat to Israel 'real': White House

In the same context, the White House said on Friday that Iran's threats of retaliation against "Israel" remain "real".

"We still deem the potential threat by Iran here to be real, to be viable," National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told journalists.

Kirby would not confirm reports that US officials considered an Iranian attack "imminent" or comment on whether the United States would help intercept any Iranian missiles fired at Israeli targets.

"I would just say that we're watching this very, very closely," he said, promising that Washington would make sure the Israelis "have what they need and that they're able to defend themselves."

The US official added that his country would also look at its force posture in the region where it has thousands of troops "to make sure that we're we're properly prepared."