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The United States stands by Israel and will “support their defense” as Iran launched attack that’s expected to ‘unfold over a number of hours’, the White House said on Sunday. US President Joe Biden has pledged to stand with Israel against Iran.

“Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel, and it is likely to unfold over several hours,” the White House said.

“President Biden has been clear: Our support for Israel’s security is ironclad,” National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

“The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”

Joe Biden, who warned Iran against attacking Israel after saying such a scenario appeared imminent, was kept regularly updated, and his team was in “constant communication” with the Israelis and other allies, Watson said.

Biden was due to meet in the White House’s heavily secured situation room with his top officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and CIA chief Bill Burns, the White House added.

Iran had vowed retaliation after a presumed Israeli strike on April 1 leveled an Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus, killing seven members of the elite Revolutionary Guards, including two generals.

Israel’s army had said earlier that Iran had launched direct drone strikes at it. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards later confirmed that an attack was underway and Iranian state TV said it involved “drones and missiles.”