Biden's top national security advisers reportedly don't know how the Iran-Israel standoff will defuse

President Joe Biden's top national security advisers told him on Monday that they don't know exactly how the impending confrontation between Israel and Iran will play out, according to Axios.

Iran has committed retaliation after a top Hamas commander, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in the country's capital last week in an operation suspected to have been carried out by Israel. The United States has made changes to the posture of military forces in the Middle East region in preparation for an attack, but members of the White House National Security Council (NSC) told Biden during a briefing Monday that they aren't quite sure what might happen next. , three American officials he said axes

Iran and Hezbollah – the latter of which is also seeking retaliation against Israel after the country killed one of the terror group's top commanders last week – are expected to launch some sort of attack in the coming hours or days, although the exact time is still maintained. unclear, according to Axios. NSC officials told Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris during Monday's briefing that the likely scenario is that Iran will attack Israel first, followed by a second attack by Hezbollah, the officials said in axes

But it was still unclear from U.S. intelligence which adversary would strike first or what the attack would look like, the officials told Axios. Iran and Hezbollah's plan to retaliate against Israel is still “a work in progress,” and neither side has made any final decisions, an official told Axios.

Before, @VP and I was briefed in the Situation Room on developments in the Middle East.

We received updates on threats from Iran and its proxies, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions, and preparations to support Israel should it come under attack again.

We too… pic.twitter.com/kbRcVkW3ex

— President Biden (@POTUS) August 5, 2024

The Biden administration has expressed that it will come to Israel defense in a scenario where Iran or Hezbollah launch an attack. Administration officials have also pursued diplomatic methods with their Arab counterparts in the region to try to find a way out before the region descends into conflict.

Biden told officials during Monday's meeting to ensure coordination with US and Israeli forces is as close as possible, according to Axios.

The United States is moving more naval and air assets around the Middle East in preparation for an attack, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said. he said journalists on Monday. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, on Monday to discuss joint defense efforts and “the need to de-escalate broader tensions in the region, to include strong support for a cease-fire in Gaza and a deal to release 'hostages,' Singh said.

Similarly, U.S. Central Command leader Gen. Michael Kurilla traveled to Israel on Monday to meet with Gallant and military officials and discuss “joint preparations in the region,” the Israel Defense Forces . said Monday.

The NSC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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