(Washington) The United States believes that Iran could launch “this week” a “series of significant attacks” against Israel, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, John Kirby, said on Monday.
He said the issue was raised during a meeting Monday between President Joe Biden and the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Britain.
The United States “shares Israel’s concern” about an imminent attack from Iran and Tehran’s allied groups in the region, Kirby said.
PHOTO EVAN VUCCI, ASSOCIATED PRESS
White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby
He acknowledged that if the attack were to occur, “it could certainly have an impact on the discussions” planned for Thursday on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, accompanied by the release of Israeli hostages held there.
The US military has increased its presence in the Middle East in recent days, deploying stealth fighter jets and more warships.
Tehran and its regional allies in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen have been threatening Israel with armed reprisals since the assassination on July 31 in the Iranian capital of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, which they blamed on Israel, and that, the day before, of Fouad Shokr, the military leader of the pro-Iranian Lebanese Hezbollah, killed in an Israeli strike near Beirut.