On Saturday, an exclusive Wall Street Journal report stated that the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which controls U.S. military operations in the Middle East, was sending two Navy destroyers to a location to protect Israel and United States troops and installations from any attack by Iran. At least one of the destroyers reportedly carries the Aegis anti-missile system.

The U.S. rushed warships into position to protect Israel and American forces in the region, hoping to head off a direct attack from Iran on Israel that could come as soon as this weekend.

The moves by the U.S. that are part of an effort to avoid a wider conflict in the Middle East came after a warning from a person familiar with the matter about the timing and location of the potential Iranian attack. A person briefed by the Iranian leadership, however, said that while plans to attack are being discussed, no final decision has been made.

Army Gen. Erik Kurilla, the head of U.S. Central Command, discussed a possible Iranian attack with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in Israel on Friday. “We are prepared to defend ourselves on the ground and in the air, in close cooperation with our partners, and we will know how to respond,” Gallant said, according to Israel’s Defense Ministry.

CENTCOM has (appropriately) not stated precisely where the destroyers are being relocated to.

The U.S. moves included repositioning two destroyers, one of which was already in the region and another that was redirected there, U.S. officials said, adding that at least one of the vessels carried the Aegis missile-defense system.

President Biden, asked Friday when an Iranian strike on Israel may occur, said, “My expectation is sooner than later.” Asked if he had a message for Iran, Biden said: “Don’t.”

This is the latest in a series of events that make the possibility of open conflict seem all the more likely.

Previously on RedState: Iran Pirates Israeli-Owned Container Ship in International Waters 

Biden Insisted on Vacation in Face of Threat From Iran, Now He's Rushing Back. Something Is Up.

The CENTCOM commander, General Kurilla, has left Israel, presumably to return to his headquarters. CENTCOM is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida. 

The US CENTCOM Commander departed Israel, Fox has learned

— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) April 13, 2024

On Saturday, as this story was being written, news outlet Axios reported that Iran had launched a swarm of drones toward Israel. 

Iran launched dozens of drones against Israel on Saturday night local time, four U.S. and Israeli officials told Axios.

Why it matters: It is the first time Iran launched an attack from its soil against Israel. It's unclear what the targets are.

The drones, as of this writing, are still in Iranian airspace.

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