It seems that everyone knew the Iranian attack was coming. Jerusalem Post.
As the world watched, Iran launched a series of drones and ballistic missiles on Shabbat, Saturday at Israel. While looking dangerous and spectacular, forces from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, (possibly) Iraq, the US and UK as well as the Israelis’ Iron Dome and Arrow defense systems ensured almost all of them were intercepted and downed.
Thankfully, most of the more than 300 Iranian munitions, the majority of which are believed to have been launched from inside of Iran’s territory during a five-hour attack, were intercepted before they got to Israel, more than 1,100 miles (1,770 kilometers) from their launch points.
Proving he knew something was up before he left for yet another weekend in Delaware, Biden said on Friday that he expected Iran to attack Israel “sooner, rather than later” and warned Tehran not to proceed. (So why did he leave, only to be recalled? What is going on in Delaware?)
As Israel braced for an attack by Iran warnings grew of the Ayatollah’s retaliation for an attack on Iran’s embassy/consulate compound last week in Damascus that targeted and killed a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Quds Force and six other officers. This, in turn, is believed to have been a response to the October 7 massacre which involved Iran, through their support of Palestinian Hamas terrorists.
Asked by reporters about his message to Iran, Biden said simply, “Don’t,” and he underscored Washington’s commitment to defend Israel. “We are devoted to the defense of Israel. We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed,” he said. Indeed, the US military had moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week
However, it appears Biden had already been in contact through back channels and wasn’t very serious about saying “Don’t” to Iran. What he actually told them was to act “within certain limits”.
This new report includes shocking information on the lead-up to the attack.
Iran informed Turkey in advance of its planned operation against Israel, a Turkish diplomatic source told Reuters on Sunday, adding that the US conveyed to Iran via Ankara that its operation must be "within certain limits."https://t.co/iG8Qr8WIYk
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) April 14, 2024
If Israel retaliates, it will do it without US assistance. Biden has warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. will not take part in a counter-offensive against Iran, an option that Netanyahu’s war cabinet currently favors.
The U.S. will continue to help Israel defend itself but does not want war, according to John Kirby, the White House’s slimy senior national security spokesperson on Sunday. Biden is reported as telling Netanyahu to “take the win”.
Almost every Middle Eastern nation is calling for Israel to take this on the chin and not escalate into regional conflict. Israel usually doesn’t work like that. To square this circle, she should consider retribution that all can support. Will they try and take out Iran’s nuclear capabilities?