President Biden is to hold an emergency national security meeting 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 break in Delaware and rushed back to Washington DC.
The spokesperson said: ‘Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel. President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team 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 unfold over a number of hours.
‘President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. 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 beind held at the White House
Iran launched the drones Saturday afternoon US time, and they are expected to take hours to reach their target.
A US security source told CNN that the bombardment could last for hours.
Israel has an ‘iron dome’ security system which can shoot down enemy missiles, although it is unclear if it will be able to resist the full force of Iran’s attack.
Dozens of drones were seen flying from Iran over neighboring Iraq’s Sulaymaniya province, according to three security sources.
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, though details of where they currently are aren’t yet known.
The IDF’s spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said it would take several hours for the drones to arrive in 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 the Air Force planes and Navy ships that are on a mission to protect the country’s skies. The IDF is monitoring all targets.
‘We ask the public to adhere to and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the official IDF announcements regarding the matter.’
Tensions between Israel and Iran have been escalating massively in the past few weeks
Iran has threatened to take revenge against Israel for levelling its embassy in Damascus, Syria. In this picture a missile is launched during a military drill in southern Iran in January
Surrounding countries appear to have begun preparations for an escalation in hostilities.
Jordan, Israel’s eastern neighbor, temporarily closed its airspace to all incoming, departing and internal flights.
The nation’s air defense system is also ready to intercept and shoot down any drones or aircraft that violate its airspace, security sources said.
The army is also on a state of high alert, and radar systems are monitoring drone activity.
Developing story, check back for updates…
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