Iran Claims Pre-Strike Warning Given; US Denies Receiving Alert
Turkish, Jordanian, and Iraqi officials confirmed on Sunday that Iran had provided early warnings days before its drone and missile attack on Israel. However, a senior official in US President Joe Biden’s administration denied receiving such a notice, stating that Tehran aimed to cause significant damage with the strike.
The attack, launched on Saturday, involved hundreds of drones and missiles in response to a suspected Israeli strike on Iran’s embassy compound in Syria. Although most of the incoming threats were neutralized before reaching Israeli territory, a young Bedouin girl was critically injured, escalating concerns of further conflicts.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, stated that Iran had given a 72-hour notice to neighboring countries and the United States about the impending strikes. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, having communicated with both Washington and Tehran prior to the attack, served as an intermediary, ensuring the responses were proportionate. According to a Turkish diplomatic source, Iran’s actions were a direct response to Israel’s aggression in Damascus.
Conversely, a senior US official contested Amirabdollahian’s claims, asserting that no prior warning was communicated through Swiss intermediaries and that Iran’s notification only came after the attacks had begun. The official suggested that this was an attempt by Iran to offset the narrative due to the minimal damage caused by the strike.
Officials from Iraq and Jordan also acknowledged receiving early warnings from Iran. Two Iraqi sources reported that Baghdad was informed through diplomatic channels at least three days before the attack, which allowed for precautions such as closing airspace to prevent casualties.
The senior Jordanian official revealed that Arab envoys were summoned to Tehran to discuss the planned attack, although specific details about the timing were not disclosed.
The situation remains tense, with potential for escalation as global leaders call for restraint. President Biden has indicated that the US will not join any Israeli retaliation, while Israeli Minister Benny Gantz stated that Israel will respond to Iran in a manner and timing deemed appropriate.
