Washington —

Iran dropped more than 100 armed drones on Israel, with the White House saying in a statement that a violent attack “could unfold within hours” as President Joe Biden rushed back to Washington for a plenary meeting on Saturday. “.

Biden earlier Saturday night posted a photo of himself in the Situation Room with Cabinet and intelligence officials. In a post on the X social media site, he said: “Our commitment to Israel’s security and defense against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad.”

White House national security spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in an afternoon statement that Biden’s team is “in constant communication with Israeli officials and other partners and allies.”

After returning to the White House, Biden went to the Situation Room for a briefing.

Attendees included Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, CIA Director Bill Burns, Director of National Intelligence Avril Hay, according to the White House. Ens and the director of the National Security Agency. Security consultant Jake Sullivan. Vice President Kamala Harris and chief of staff Jeff Zients dialed in via a secure video connection.

Biden told reporters on Friday that he expected Iran to launch an attack on Israel “sooner rather than later.” When a reporter asked him what message he wanted to send to Iran, the president replied succinctly: “No.”

The U.S. military has begun sending additional troops and equipment to the Middle East, Defense Department officials confirmed Friday. It has about 40,000 troops in the region.

Earlier in the day, Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yov Galante and “made clear that Israel can count on the full support of the United States to protect Israel from any attacks by Iran and its regional proxies.”

The U.S. Navy reportedly moved two guided-missile destroyers capable of intercepting drones and incoming missiles near Israel in anticipation of an Iranian attack Wall Street Journal.

Previously, the U.S. Navy intercepted a long-range missile launched by Iran’s ally Houthi armed forces from Yemen to Israel in the Red Sea.

The Biden administration’s response to the Iran attack will be closely watched by his political opponents, with less than seven months to go before an election rematch between the Democratic incumbent and his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.

Even before the Iranian drones reached Israeli airspace, some Republican lawmakers began to react.

Rep. Steve Scalise, D-Louisiana, wrote on the We cannot continue to surrender to terrorists.”

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., called on Biden to “move quickly to launch aggressive retaliatory strikes against Iran” in a message on X.

Some analysts said Biden’s hesitation on the conflict contributed to Tehran’s decision to launch the attack.

“President Biden needs to provide unwavering political support to help Israel get through this critical moment,” FDD CEO Mark Dubowitz said in a statement to VOA. “Biden’s support for Israel has wavered in recent months, with threats from some Democrats to cut off military support undoubtedly emboldening him. [Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei. “