Kirby calls the idea that Iran warned the US about Israel’s attack ‘ridiculous’

White House national security communications adviser John Kirby on Monday disputed reports that Iranian officials provided the United States with advance warning about the timing and targets of its strikes against Israel over the weekend.

“This whole narrative that Iran gave us a message about what they were going to do is ridiculous,” Kirby told reporters at a news conference.

Kirby told reporters that Iran failed in the attack on Israel on Saturday, in which it launched hundreds of drones and missiles in response to an Israeli attack on an Iranian compound in Syria.

Kirby was adamant that the United States did not receive any advance warning about the deadline or targets involved, instead crediting the capabilities of Israel and its partners in intercepting most of the missiles.

Reported by Reuters Iran warned days in advance of its attack, citing Turkish, Jordanian and Iraqi authorities. All three nations are US allies.

“All I’m saying is it’s nonsense,” Kirby said of these reports.

“Can you imagine a world where Iran would pick up the phone and say, ‘We’re about to try to attack Israel with 300 cruise missiles and drones, we just wanted to let you know this is coming, and by the way, here’s what we’re going to do. achieve,’” continued Kirby. “I’m sorry, it just didn’t happen. I can’t explain what sources might be telling you about what they heard. I’m telling you what we heard.

Kirby said the U.S. received a message from Iran and also transmitted messages to Iran, although he did not elaborate on those communications. But he said none of them involved the details of Iran’s attack over the weekend.

President Biden spoke Saturday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following the attack and pledged “firm” support for Israel.

“Together with our partners, we defeated this attack,” Biden said Monday during an Oval Office meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.