In a press conference at the White House, President Joe Biden expressed his expectation that Iran will launch an attack on Israel "sooner than later." While refraining from divulging classified information, the president emphasized the seriousness of the situation and urged Iran not to proceed with any aggressive actions.

President Biden reiterated the United States' unwavering support for Israel, stating that the US is "devoted" to its defense. He assured reporters that the US will provide assistance and help ensure that Iran does not succeed in its potential attack on Israel.

The heightened tensions stem from Israel's recent attack on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Syria, which resulted in the loss of three Iranian generals. Following this incident, the White House confirmed the existence of a "real," "credible," and "viable" threat of Iran launching retaliatory strikes.

President Biden has been receiving regular updates on the situation from his national security team and has been closely monitoring the developments. The United States, along with countries such as Britain and France, has issued new travel guidelines for government employees in Israel due to the looming Iranian threat.

To strengthen regional deterrence efforts and bolster force protection for US forces, the Defense Department is deploying additional assets to the Middle East. This move is particularly focused on reinforcing air defenses for US troops stationed in Iraq and Syria, who have faced over 100 attacks by Iran-backed proxy forces between October and February.

While the US does not anticipate direct attacks on American forces, it is taking precautions and ensuring preparedness. John Kirby, the National Security Council spokesman, emphasized the need to assess the US posture in the region and maintain readiness.

CNN had previously reported that the US was actively preparing for a potential attack by Iran, which could target Israeli or American assets. Officials suggested that such an attack might be carried out by Iranian proxy forces rather than by Iran directly, to avoid a dramatic escalation in the conflict.

US intelligence sources assessed that Iran had urged several proxy militia groups to initiate a large-scale attack on Israel, utilizing drones and missiles. The sources revealed that Iran had positioned itself to launch the attack and was awaiting the right time.

President Biden recently had a telephone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the Iranian threat. A direct strike on Israel by Iran is a worst-case scenario that the Biden administration is prepared for but hopes to avoid to prevent the broader escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict into a regional war.

The US remains in constant communication with Israel regarding the situation, and measures are being taken to ensure Israel's defense capabilities. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged with foreign ministers from Turkey, China, and Saudi Arabia to encourage them to urge Iran to deescalate the conflict.

While US officials expressed frustration over the lack of prior information shared by Israel regarding their strike in Damascus, steps are being taken to address this issue and enhance cooperation between the two nations.

President Biden continues to receive regular briefings on the evolving situation, underscoring the gravity of the threat posed by Iran. The US stands firm in its commitment to Israel's defense while striving for stability in the region.