U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with his national security team at the White House later this afternoon to discuss Iran’s ongoing strike on Israel.
“His team is in constant communication with Israeli officials as well as other partners and allies,” the White House says. “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,” the White House adds.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGc) issued a statement confirming its launch of an attack on Israel, saying it is in response to the IDF’s strike on a consular compound in Damascus in which several IRGC members were killed, including two generals, earlier this month.
The IRGC says it will hit specific targets in Israel with dozens of drones and missiles, apparently cruise missiles.
The White House meeting later today will be with principals of the National Security Council: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown, CIA Director Bill Burns, DNI Director Avril Haines, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer, Counselor to the President Steve Ricchetti and National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk. Vice President Harris and Chief of Staff Jeff Zients will attend by secure video.
Earlier today, Biden was briefed on events in the Middle East by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer.