"The president discussed efforts to support Israel's defense against threats, including against ballistic missiles and drones, to include new defensive U.S. military deployments," the White House said in a statement.
This statement came following a phone call between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Aug. 1, where they reportedly talked about efforts to protect Israel from an imminent Iranian retaliation. Biden assured the Israeli leader that the United States is committed to Israel's security from Iran's threats, which include its "proxy terrorist groups." The Democratic Party's presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly joined the call.
Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed a "harsh" response to Israel for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Tehran on July 31.
Hezbollah's Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah also said in a speech that the response to the strike in Beirut is coming. Before Haniyeh's assassination, an Israeli strike killed top Hezbollah war commander Fuad Shukr and six others, including women and children, and injured over 80. Last month, the Ansar Allah resistance movement and Yemen's Armed Forces said a response to the Israeli strike on the country's Hodeidah port would be "inevitable."
The Department of Defense confirmed that the government is sending additional fighter jet squadrons and Navy cruisers and destroyer ships to the Middle East. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin already "ordered adjustments to the U.S. military posture designed to improve U.S. force protection, to increase support for the defense of Israel and to ensure the United States is prepared to respond to various contingencies," Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said in a statement.
"We've demonstrated since October and again in April that the United States' global defense is dynamic and the department retains the capability to deploy on short notice to meet evolving national security threats."
Later in the said phone call, Biden stressed the need for a ceasefire deal in Gaza that could help lower tensions across the region. He said Netanyahu must seize this opportunity. "I had a very direct meeting with the prime minister. We have the basis for a ceasefire. They should move on it and move on it now," Biden told reporters on Thursday night at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland.
According to the Times of Israel, Biden has privately scolded Netanyahu and told the prime minister to "stop bulls-------" him after Netanyahu allegedly told Biden that Israel was moving forward with negotiations on a hostages-for-ceasefire deal with Hamas and would soon send a delegation to resume talks.
The said talks have been ongoing for many months without results, making Biden express his disappointment that "Netanyahu has been intentionally stalling for internal political reasons." (Related: Netanyahu expected to delay Gaza ceasefire deal until after the U.S. presidential election. )
Netanyahu's office responded to the report, saying that the prime minister does not comment on his private discussions with Biden. It also indicated that the premier "does not intervene in American politics and will work with whoever is elected president and expects Americans to also not intervene in Israeli politics."
Biden, Harris meet to discuss Iran's imminent retaliation to Israel
The White House is convinced that Iran will very soon launch a retaliation against Israel due to the death of Hamas' leader, but it said that the U.S. is struggling to measure when it will happen or how far the attack could go. Officials are relying on multiple streams of intelligence but it is more difficult to predict Iran's actions.
Gen. Erik Kurilla, who commands all U.S. forces in the Middle East, also already traveled to the region to shore up support among allies, according to a U.S. government official who was not authorized to speak publicly. According to the same official, it is unclear how many Middle Eastern countries will be willing to help this time because some don't want to be seen as aiding Israel. Some countries have pointed to the protection of their airspace as cover for allowing U.S. and allied forces to intercept missiles over their territory.
Biden, Harris and the administration's national security team already met in the White House Situation Room regarding this matter. The president also spoke with Jordan's King Abdullah II and discussed de-escalation efforts, including the immediate ceasefire deal and the hostage release deal.
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Watch the video below that talks about the assassination of Haniyeh, which was allegedly masterminded by Netanyahu with Biden's blessing.
This video is from Tony Gosling's channel on Brighteon.com.
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