White House Says US Is Prepared To Defend Israel From ‘Significant’ Attack

The White House said Monday that the US is prepared to defend Israel from a “significant” Iranian reprisal attack as the US continues to bolster its forces in the region.

The US and Israel are expecting Iran to launch its response to the Israeli killing of Hamas’s political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, and think the attack could happen this week. Iran’s allies, including Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iraqi Shia militias, may participate in the operation.

“We share the same concerns and expectations that our Israeli counterparts have with respect to potential timing here. Could be this week,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters. “We have to be prepared for what could be a significant set of attacks.”