President Biden holds emergency national security meeting as Iran attacks Israel with waves of drones, as US official warns aerial bombardment could last hours

President Biden is to hold an emergency national security meeting after Iran launched a drone attack on Israel.

A National Security Council spokesperson said the White House meeting will take place Saturday afternoon, hours after Biden canceled his weekend break in Delaware and rushed back to Washington DC.

The spokesperson said: 'Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel. President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House. 

'His team is in constant communication with Israeli officials as well as other partners and allies. This attack is likely to unfold over a number of hours. 

'President Biden has been clear: our support for Israel’s security is ironclad. The United States will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.'

Shortly after news broke of the attacks on Israel by Iranian forces, President Biden was rushed back to the White House from Delaware for a national security meeting, seen here

Biden is seen here walking to the Oval Office after returning from Delaware to consult his national security team 

A National Security Council spokesperson said the White House meeting will take place Saturday afternoon

President Biden is seen arriving at Gordons Pond in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on Saturday after canceling his break over Iran's attack on Israel

The president is seen boarding his Marine One helicopter. A national security meeting is being held at the White House 

Iran launched the drones Saturday afternoon Eastern Standard Time, and they are expected to take hours to reach their target.

US Congressional sources say the amphibious war ship Bataan is leading a US naval task force in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

The Bataan has two support ships and together they have about 2,500 Marines onboard. 

The US also has several guided missile destroyers including the Carney in the area.  A US security source told CNN that the bombardment could last for hours.

Israel has an 'iron dome' security system which can shoot down enemy missiles, although it is unclear if it will be able to fend off the full force of Iran's attack.

Dozens of drones were seen flying from Iran over neighboring Iraq's Sulaymaniya province, according to three security sources. 

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said via state media that it had 'launched extensive drone strikes against targets in occupied territories.' 

Iranian media reported that a second wave of drones has been launched, though details on their current location are not yet known.

The IDF's spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, said it would take several hours for the drones to arrive in Israel, adding that sirens would be sounded in threatened areas.

The IDF said: 'The air defense array is on high alert at the same time as the Air Force planes and Navy ships that are on a mission to protect the country’s skies. The IDF is monitoring all targets.

'We ask the public to adhere to and follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the official IDF announcements regarding the matter.'

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said via state media that it had 'launched extensive drone strikes against targets in occupied territories', seen here

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Wednesday that Israel 'must be punished and will be punished' 

Tensions between Israel and Iran have been escalating massively in the past few weeks 

Iran has threatened to take revenge against Israel for levelling its embassy in Damascus, Syria. In this picture a missile is launched during a military drill in southern Iran in January

Surrounding countries appear to have begun preparations for an escalation in hostilities.

Jordan, Israel's eastern neighbor, temporarily closed its airspace to all incoming, departing and internal flights. 

The nation's air defense system is also ready to intercept and shoot down any drones or aircraft that violate its airspace, security sources said.

The army is also on a state of high alert, and radar systems are monitoring drone activity.

Iran had threatened to hit back at Israel over an attack in Syria, which Tehran say was an Israeli airstrike on a Iranian diplomatic building in Damascus. 

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed retribution in the wake of the Damascus attack, for which Tel-Aviv has yet to take responsibility.

The April 1 attack destroyed Iran's consulate building in the city and killed seven Revolutionary Guards, including the two generals.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Wednesday that Israel 'must be punished and will be punished', days after one of his advisers said Israeli embassies are 'no longer safe'.

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz swiftly replied on social media site X that 'if Iran attacks from its territory, Israel will respond and attack Iran'.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to respond with force to any assault by Iran, leaving tensions in the Middle East on a knife-edge.