The White House on Monday said that Iran did not provide advance warnings or intended targets before its missile and drone attack on Israel at the weekend.
White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said reports that Iran had provided early warnings to help Israel prepare its defences and limit damage were “categorically false”.
“Given the scale of this attack, Iran's intent was clearly to cause significant disruption and Iran's leaders fired so many missiles and other munitions because they knew that some would be defeated,” Mr Kirby told reporters.
“The aim was to get as many of them through Israel's defences as possible.
“This whole narrative out there that Iran passed us a message about what they were going to do is ridiculous.”
He also called the attack a “spectacular and embarrassing failure”.
Iran launched the attack on Israel on Saturday, but the vast majority of the drones and missiles fired were intercepted by Israeli and allied air defence systems in the region.
It caused little damage in Israel, although a girl was reportedly wounded by shrapnel.
On Sunday, international media outlets, quoting Turkish, Jordanian and Iraqi officials, reported that Iran had given notice of the attack days in advance.
But Mr Kirby said Tehran had not informed Washington, and the attack was defeated thanks to the preparation and the co-ordinated response of the US and allied nations.
“Israel today is in a far stronger strategic position than it was only a few days ago,” he said.
Israel has threatened to respond to Iran's attack, fuelling more concerns of a widened regional conflict.
US President Joe Biden, who is running for re-election in November, has been trying to prevent the Israel-Gaza war, which began on October 7, from spreading across the region.
Mr Kirby said the Biden administration would not be involved in any Israeli response.
“This is an Israeli decision to make," he said. "Whether and how they'll respond around this attack on Saturday and when would be squarely with them."
Iran's attack on Israel – in pictures
Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs: 2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE
Price, base / as tested: Dh263,235 / Dh420,000
Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6
Power 375hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque: 450Nm @ 3,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
