The Israeli military says Iran launched a drone attack towards Israel

The Israeli army said that Iran launched drones towards Israel on Saturday evening.

The Israeli army said in a statement that Iran launched drones “from within its territory towards Israel.”

“The Israeli army is on high alert and is constantly monitoring the operational situation,” the statement said. “The IDF air defense system is on high alert, along with IAF fighter aircraft and Israeli Navy ships conducting a defensive mission in Israeli airspace. The IDF is monitoring all targets.”

No further details about the attack were immediately provided. Israeli officials told CBS News that it could take several hours before the drones reach Israeli airspace.

“Iran has begun an air attack against Israel,” National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

President Biden returned to the White House on Saturday, preparing for an imminent attack.

The statement continued, “President Biden is regularly briefed on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House.” “His team is in constant contact with Israeli officials as well as other partners and allies. This attack will likely continue over several hours. President Biden has been clear: Our support for Israel's security is firm. The United States will stand with us.” The people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”

A US official told CBS News that the United States is prepared for further actions by Iran, and from within the region through its proxies.

Three US officials told CBS News that the United States is in a position to shoot down drones coming from Iran via assets in Iraq and Syria. The United States also has fighter jets on standby now.

The Iranian attack comes in response An Israeli strike on April 1 On the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, killing seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Israeli citizens in a video address on Saturday evening, saying: “In recent years, and even more so in recent weeks, Israel has been preparing for the possibility of a direct attack from Iran. Our defense systems are deployed.” “We are prepared for any scenario, whether in defense or attack. The State of Israel is strong, the Israeli army is strong, and the public is strong.”

Biden on Friday urged Iran not to move forward, saying his message to Tehran was: “Don't.” Earlier this week, the United States sent a senior general to Israel to coordinate with the close American ally on any response it might make to an Iranian attack.

However, tensions in the region continued to rise. on saturday, UNI Special Forces CommandoIranian paramilitary Revolutionary Guard forces seized an Israeli container ship near the Strait of Hormuz.

The US government called on Iran to immediately release the ship and its international crew. National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said, “Seizing a civilian ship without provocation is a flagrant violation of international law.” “It must be unequivocally condemned, and we will work with our partners to hold Iran accountable for its actions.”

All US embassies in the Middle East were placed on high alert and asked to hold Emergency Action Committee meetings. Diplomats in Lebanon Israel has been specifically told not to travel to certain areas within those countries.

Earlier in the day, Lebanon set off towards northern Israel. Official media reported that Jordan closed its airspace “in light of the escalation of risks in the region.” Announce case of emergency. Israel Announce They will close their airspace from 1:00 to 5:00 a.m. local time.

— Margaret Brennan contributed to this report.