WASHINGTON, April  12, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's threats of reprisals against
Israel after a strike in Syria this month that killed two Iranian generals
remain "real," the White House said on Friday.

"We still deem the potential threat by Iran here to be real, to be viable,"
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told journalists.

Kirby would not confirm reports that US officials considered an Iranian
attack "imminent" or comment on whether the United States would help shoot down
any Iranian missiles fired at Israel.

"I would just say that we're watching this very, very closely," he said,
adding that Washington would make sure the Israelis "have what they need and
that they're able to defend themselves."

The United States would also look at its own force posture in the region
where it has thousands of troops "to make sure that we're we're properly
prepared."

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday warned that Iran is "threatening to
launch a significant attack on Israel." He pledged "ironclad" support for
Washington's top regional ally despite diplomatic tensions over Israel's
military conduct in Gaza.