Biden cuts short Delaware trip, returns to Washington to consult national security amid West Asia crisis

United States President Joe Biden returned to Washington on Saturday afternoon (Apr 13) as he plans to hold discussion with his national security team amid an escalation of tensions in West Asia.

The development comes hours after Biden said that he expects an Iranian attack against Israel “sooner, rather than later.”

The US president was on a trip to Delaware, which the White House said he cut short to discuss the current happenings in the Middle East.

Tehran has vowed retaliation in response to an Israeli strike on Iran’s embassy compound in Damascus last week that claimed the life of a senior commander in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ overseas Quds Force along with six other officers.

Earlier on Saturday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a telephonic conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to discuss “urgent regional threats,” and echoed full support from the United States for its ally Israel against the attacks launched by Iran and its proxies.

Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, also shared a social media post on the same lines reiterating US support for his Israeli counterpart, Tzachi Hanegbi. 

Biden, on Friday, issued a stern warning to Iran against retaliatory attacks while also predicting that the attacks may be imminent. 

“We are devoted to the defence of Israel. We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed,” the US president said.

Meanwhile, several countries including India, France, Poland, and Russia have warned their citizens against travelling to Israel and Iran.

“In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice. All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian Embassies there and register themselves,” the Indian foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday.

The French foreign ministry advised citizens to “refrain absolutely” from travelling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel, or the Palestinian territories in the coming days.

Germany, asked its citizens to leave Iran, adding, “German citizens are at concrete risk of being arbitrarily arrested and interrogated and being given long prison sentences. Dual citizens with Iranian and German nationality are especially at risk.”

(With inputs from agencies)