U.S. President Joe Biden on Friday stated he anticipated Iran to assault Israel “sooner, rather than later” and warned Tehran to not proceed.

Asked by reporters about his message to Iran, Biden stated merely, “Don’t,” and he underscored Washington’s dedication to defend Israel.

“We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed,” he stated.

Israel braced on Friday for an assault by Iran or its proxies as warnings grew of retaliation for an assault on Iran’s embassy compound final week in Damascus that killed a senior commander within the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ abroad Quds Force and 6 different officers.

Israel didn’t declare duty for the airstrike on April 1. But Iran’s supreme chief, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated Israel “must be punished and shall be” for an operation he stated was equal to an assault on Iranian soil.

Biden stated he wouldn’t expose safe data, however stated his expectation was that an assault by Iran might come “sooner, rather than later.” He spoke to reporters on the White House after a digital speech to a civil rights convention.

The U.S. rushed warships into place to guard Israel and American forces within the area, hoping to move off a direct assault from Iran on Israel that would come as quickly as Friday or Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.

The strikes by the U.S. which can be a part of an effort to keep away from a wider battle within the Middle East got here after a warning from an individual conversant in the matter concerning the timing and site of the potential Iranian assault, the newspaper stated.

However, an individual briefed by the Iranian management stated that whereas plans to assault are being mentioned, no last resolution has been made, the Journal stated.

Countries together with India, France, Poland and Russia have warned their residents in opposition to travel to the area, already on edge over the battle in Gaza, now in its seventh month. Germany on Friday referred to as on its residents to depart Iran.

Earlier, White House spokesperson John Kirby stated the reportedly imminent assault by Iran on Israel was an actual and viable menace, however gave no particulars about any attainable timing.

Kirby stated the United States was its personal power posture within the area in gentle of Tehran’s menace and was watching the state of affairs very carefully.