President Biden cut short his weekend trip to his Delaware beach house and returned to the White House to monitor the crisis in the Middle East amid concerns of a potential, imminent Iranian attack on Israel. Biden departed from Rehoboth Beach a day earlier than planned to consult with his national security team about events in the Middle East. He expressed his expectation that Iran would attack Israel “sooner than later” as Tehran continues to promise revenge for the attack on its Damascus consulate. The U.S. and others attributed the consulate attack to Israel, although no Israeli official has taken credit for the strike, which resulted in the death of seven Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps members.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to discuss urgent regional threats. Austin assured the Israeli official that Israel could rely on full U.S. support if Iran or any regional proxies attack. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also spoke with his Israeli counterpart, reiterating America’s “ironclad” commitment to the security of Israel. Iran has continued to promise retaliation for the consulate attack, which escalated tensions further when IRGC troops seized a Portuguese-flagged ship, the MSC Aries, claiming it was owned by an Israeli, while the U.S. disputed this, stating that the ship belonged to a British company.
The U.S. government condemned the Iranian seizure of the ship, calling it a violation of international law and an act of piracy by the IRGC. The ship’s crew consisted of individuals from various countries, and the U.S. called for the vessel and its crew to be released immediately. Iran did not provide an explanation for the seizure, and the U.S. vowed to work with its partners to hold Iran accountable for its actions. Despite Iran indicating to U.S. officials that it sought a non-escalatory response earlier in the week, tensions in the region remained high.
House Republicans intensified pressure on President Biden to facilitate the expeditious release of Hamas hostages and to support Israel. The U.S. reiterated its commitment to defend and support Israel in the face of potential threats from Iran or its proxies. The crisis in the Middle East has required close monitoring from the U.S. government, prompting President Biden to cut short his trip to his beach house. The situation in the region remains tense, with Iran continuing to threaten retaliation for the attack on its consulate, raising concerns about the potential for further escalation. The U.S. government has engaged with Israeli officials to ensure support and protection for Israel in the event of an attack.
