The White House believes Iran is preparing an imminent ballistic missile attack on Israel

CNN
—

The White House said Tuesday that the US believes Iran is preparing an imminent ballistic missile attack on Israel.

“The United States has indications that Iran is preparing to soon launch a ballistic missile attack on Israel. We actively support defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack. A direct military attack by Iran on Israel will have serious consequences for Iran,” a senior White House official said in a statement.

The US is prepared to do whatever it can to help Israel intercept anything Iran sends its way, similar to how the US offered its help in April, when Iran launched a wave of drones and missiles towards Israel – one of which the vast majority were successfully intercepted. , a US official said.

The US expects that Iran’s upcoming attack on Israel could be similar in scope and scale to the one in April, a US official told CNN.

In that attack, Iran launched a wave of drones and missiles towards Israel – the vast majority of which were successfully intercepted.

Shortly after the US statement was released, the Israeli military said it had not yet identified an air threat from Iran.

“At this time, Israel does not see any immediate threat from Iran,” said Israeli army spokesman Daniel Hagari.

During a short video message, Hagari said Israeli military aircraft are currently “scanning the skies” for an imminent threat from Iran.

“We are on full alert both offensively and defensively,” Hagari added, warning Iran that any attack on Israel “would have consequences.”

Tensions between Israel and Iran have increased significantly in recent weeks as Israel has stepped up its efforts against Lebanon’s Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militant group. Israel launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon on Monday targeting Hezbollah.

The United States is monitoring events in the Middle East very closely and is committed to Israel’s defense, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday.

“We are, as I said, closely monitoring developments at this time,” Blinken said in brief remarks alongside his Moroccan counterpart. Blinken did not make any specific reference to Iran or the possible attack.

This story is current and will be updated.