In the midst of escalating tensions in the Middle East, US President Joe Biden has reassured Israel of America's unwavering support against any potential Iranian attack. Concerns have been mounting in Washington over the possibility of a "significant" strike from Iran within the coming days, following the bombing of an Iranian consular building in Damascus.

US and allied officials are expressing fears that the strike could come in the form of a direct missile launch from Iran, rather than through a proxy like Hezbollah in Lebanon. In response, Israel has vowed to respond in kind to any direct attack, raising concerns of a possible regional war.

The recent pledge by President Biden at the White House, aimed at deterring any hostile actions, came shortly after Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, repeated a threat to strike back against Israel over the Damascus bombing, which resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals, including a senior figure in Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, and six other Guard members.

Khamenei declared, "When they attacked our consulate area, it was like they attacked our territory. The evil regime must be punished and it will be punished." In response, Israel's Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, stated that if Iran were to initiate an attack from its own territory, Israel would respond by launching its own strike into Iran.

Though Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the April 1st bombing, both Israeli and US officials have confirmed their involvement. For months, the two countries have exchanged hostilities in Lebanon and Syria. However, the bombing of the Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus, which Iran considers its own territory, has significantly heightened the threat of the conflict in Gaza expanding into a wider regional conflict.

Since the Damascus bombing, Tehran has been sending messages to Washington, accusing the US of being responsible for the attack and cautioning against interfering in Iran's confrontation with Israel. President Biden's pledge of support to Israel on the White House lawn, during a joint appearance with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, was seen as a direct response to Iran's warning, emphasizing that the US would not stay on the sidelines.

Biden declared, "Our commitment to Israel's security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad. Let me say it again, ironclad. We're gonna do all we can to protect Israel's security." The Biden administration aims to prevent a direct Iranian attack by sending a message that US forces in the region, significantly reinforced since the Gaza conflict began, would not refrain from engaging in a conflict with Israel.

In an effort to prevent the situation from escalating further, the administration has emphasized its desire to avoid further conflict and has continued diplomatic efforts. US military presence in the region also serves as a deterrent to those seeking to exploit the ongoing conflict.

Alon Pinkas, a former Israeli diplomat and advisor to previous prime ministers, noted the unusual nature of Iran's repeated mentions of retaliation in recent weeks. The prevailing belief is that Iran may feel compelled to respond directly to the attack in Damascus, rather than relying on a proxy. The possible targets of an Iranian retaliatory strike could include Israeli embassies across the globe, prompting increased security measures from Israeli authorities.

The US and Israeli military, as well as intelligence agencies, are in constant communication regarding the ever-present threat. The ability of the Biden administration to restrain an Israeli response in the event of an Iranian attack would largely depend on the specifics of the situation. Intercepting an Iranian missile or drone, or an assault on an Israeli embassy, may provide an opportunity to prevent further escalation. However, if the strike were to result in multiple casualties within Israel, de-escalation would prove considerably more challenging.

As tensions continue to rise, all eyes remain on the region, with concerns growing over the potential for a broader conflict. The world watches with bated breath as the situation develops and diplomatic efforts persist to prevent a further escalation of hostilities.