Important Briefing from Biden and Harris' National Security Team: What Did It Include?

The White House confirmed that the National Security Team briefed U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on the developments in the Middle East, including the threats posed by Iran and its allies to U.S. forces. According to a statement from the White House, "Biden and Harris were also informed of ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at easing tensions in the region and achieving a ceasefire." They were briefed on "the latest U.S. military efforts to bolster defense for Israel in case of further attacks." The statement noted that Biden and Harris were also updated on "the attack on Al Asad Airbase in Iraq and discussed the necessary steps to defend U.S. forces and respond to any attack." An American official was quoted as saying that the National Security Team "told Biden and Harris it is unclear when Iran and Hezbollah are likely to launch an attack on Israel and the details of such an attack." A Pentagon spokesperson announced that Americans were injured in a missile attack that targeted the Al Asad military base in Iraq on Monday. The spokesperson explained that "what is believed to be a missile attack occurred today against U.S. and coalition forces at the Al Asad airbase in Iraq. Initial indications are that several Americans were injured." This attack comes amid growing concerns of a potential assault by Iran and its allies on Israel in response to the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniya in Tehran, along with a senior Hezbollah leader in the southern Beirut suburb last week.