Middle east very closely. The united states is committed to Israels Defense. We are watching developments, as i said, very carefully this morning. U. S. Officials tell Nbc News they expect this iranian response to involve more fire power. Israel is trying to push hezbollah forces north. The israeli defense Forces Spokesperson announced israel uncovered Hezbollah Tunnels in Southern Lebanon. One of the buildings that our troops raided, we found proof of this. This is a map that hezbollah planned to give its terrorists at the time of a widescale invasion of israel. It was to cover out a massacre in israels north. Joining me from jerusalem is nbcs Erin Mclaughlin. Also with is monica alba. Monica, what are you hearing from the White House . The State Department ordered all u. S. Government employees and their families to shelter in place and that this is supposed by in response to the killing of nasrallah on friday in a massive Air Strike by israel as well as previous fronts to hezbollah attacks, the pager attack, none of that had been retaliated against. Reporter thats exactly why the biden administration officials had been bracing for some kind of a Response And Retaliation from iran. There was a question about the timing. There was nothing that indicated in the last 24 hours that it was going to be happening necessarily immediately. But we knew iran could be positioned to move quickly, which it seems now it is poised to do so for this potential ballistic Missile Attack. There are a lot of questions about exactly what this will look like, whether it will be similar or a little different to what we saw take place in april. I can tell you that President Biden has been briefed and updated on all of the possibilities over the last couple of hours. We know that the secretary of defense, lloyd austin, has been in touch with his israeli counterparts on all of that as well. To lay out what we are expecting here and what could happen in the next few hours, if this is what we think the course will be, is this question of how many specific Ballistic Missile might be launched into israel. Last time in april, there was a number high number of projectiles, around 300 total. It was a combination of different things. Back then, it started with drones and then it evolved into the missiles. The question is, what order or what sequence will take place for this potential attack . Thats a question that the u. S. Is evaluating. I can also tell you from our reporting that there is a sense here that there could be more firepower that is used from iran this time around if they have a higher number of those Ballistic Missiles they employ. Last time, Israels Defense systems performed quite well, intercepting many of them. That was something where the u. S. Had also helped to support those defense capabilities. We are told this time around that the u. S. Is poised to help support those same kind of defense operations. But theres an open question about what other kinds of allies might be involved here who were playing a Role Back in the last attack but who may not necessarily be in this round. We are still watching for all of that. Theres still a lot thats unknown about how this could play out. This is something where the u. S. Had a sense, had indications that this is what iran was preparing to do. So they have been in touch with israel about how this may play out from a defense perspective. Its really important to note that as of now, the u. S. Expects that iran will be targeting mostly israeli Government And Military sites and not necessarily civilian targets. At the same time, of course, as you know, andrea, theres no Guarantee Civilians Wont be impacted depending on what we see happen here as the day unfolds. Erin, in israel, we are hearing reports that there were sirens, some Air Raid warnings in central israel. I dont know what you are hearing from where you are. As monica was pointing out, last time there was a combined allied response coming to the assistance of israel. Iron dome could do what it could do. A lot was intercepted by jordanian and other forces. We dont know that they would be involved this time. Theres been a lot of tension between the allies, arab and European Allies as well as the u. S. Calling for a ceasefire and pushing back against the escalation that israel ignored all of the appeals and israel was determined to follow this policy, which is very popular inside israel. This is not like gaza, as you know. This is getting the people they say back to their homes who have been evacuated since October 8th in the north, near the lebanese border. Railroad yeah, thats right, andrea. The sirens were sounding in central israel a short while ago. According to israeli military, a missile had been launched from lebanon towards central israel. Nevertheless, local authorities there have put out an alert in light of this intelligence coming from the united states that israelis in central israel should shelter in place. Very similar warning sent from the u. S. State department to embassy employees here in jerusalem. In terms of what we are hearing about a potential attack from israeli officials, about two hours ago, we heard from israeli spokesperson daniel hagarri, speaking in hebrew, addressing the people of israel saying that a short while ago, quote, our partners in the united states informed us they have identified that iran is preparing to launch missiles towards israel. He added, we do not detect any aerial threat launched from iran. Obviously, that situation can change very quickly. He went on to say, quote, our aerial Defense Systems are fully prepared and israeli Air Force Aircraft are patrolling the skies. However, the defense is not hermetic. No mention in that statement of allies or other countries coming to Israels Defense. The senior official at the White House, monica, said there would be serious consequences for any direct attack by iran. What does that look like . Reporter yeah. Remember, President Biden for months, whenever he is asked about what iran is poised to do or prepared to do when it has this rhetoric thats certainly a bit more threatening, he likes to respond with just one word, which is his message to iran is, dont. At the same time, the u. S. Doesnt have any indications that iran is actually interested, we are told, in a wider war. That has been the number one priority for the biden administration as this war In Gaza is reaching the Oneyear Mark on monday, notably. That has always been what they are trying to preserve the most, this idea that there could be a possible escalation that would involve other countries and, of course, the turmoil in lebanon in the last couple of weeks raised the specter of that all over again. The u. S. Has been working furiously behind the scenes to try to tamp down the temperature a bit to be sure that it doesnt get to that point. While the u. S. And the president still believe this is not something thats going to amount to a far larger escalation or explosion, the tensions are lending themselves to the question being very relevant right now. The u. S. as it always does in these messages and statements, does warn about consequences for iran. That will be something that they have been discussing as well as the president has been huddling with his top national security officials on this and determining, again, paths forward that are related and intricately connected to this question of what happens with the war between israel and hamas, too. Monica and erin, thank you both so much. I know you will Stand By with updates. We want to bring in John Brennan, the former Cia Director during the obama administration, who has experience working for the agency in the Middle East as well as at the White House and the cia. Director brennan, how good is this intelligence about iranian intentions . Well, u. S. Intelligence is excellent when it comes to trying to detect a planned launch of missiles in the Middle East. Apparently, what has happened is that we have worked with the israelis to make sure that the israelis are aware that they could, in fact, be facing maybe a barrage of Ballistic Missiles very soon launched against israel proper. One of the real concerns is to make sure that the Air Defense systems that are in place, both on the ground in israel as well as in the air, are going to be primed to be able to intercept as many of those missiles that come in as possible and to try to prevent israeli defenses from being overwhelmed. I think whats notable is the short time of flight of Ballistic Missiles from iran to israel. It could be as short as 12 minutes or so. Even successful intercepts can lead to shrapnel Falling Down On Population centers that can kill and injure individuals. That Advance Warning on the Intelligence Front is so important for israel to be able to, again, prepare to intercept the missiles but also to take whatever actions they can on the ground to try to protect israeli and other citizens inside of israel. I think whats so notable you worked in the national Security Team as well as the cia and in the field. So notable now is that this is a point of the greatest diplomatic tension between israel and the united states that i have seen in many, many a year with the blindsiding of the u. S. About the pagers, about the nasrallah right after the Prime Minister was giving his speech to the u. N. Done while he was in u. S. Territory. All of these things that have happened that have not given the u. S. Neither a Heads Up nor clear indications about the ceasefire. There was a lot, quote, misunderstanding between the two sides about the ceasefire initiative. All that said, when israel gets under attack, the u. S. Is right there as its closest ally. Talk to me about that mutual defense and how important that is beyond all political differences. Absolutely. The united States Government has been committed to Israels Defense, especially if it is under attack. I think the biden administration will do whatever possible to protect israel. Its clear that the Netanyahu Government and prime Minister Netanyahu himself is intent on shaking up the Middle East Chess Board and to try to push back against his adversaries, whether it be hezbollah or hamas or iran at this point. I think netanyahu knows this is an opportune time do it with a month or so before u. S. Presidential elections that there will be strong support. Yes, we have criticized some of the israeli actions and are trying to make sure that we can move forward with a ceasefire. But its been rhetorical criticism. There has been no tangible demonstration of u. S. Displeasure with israel except for a very short delay in delivery of weapons earlier. Right now, i think the biden administration is going to make sure that israel is not going to be under attack from iran that could cause casualties inside of israel. As was pointed out i think you pointed out, the partnership of some of the countries in the region, such as jordan, is critically important, because these Ballistic Missiles will fly over jordan into israel. Last time, the jordanians and the united states and others in the region were able to work together to prevent any type of attacks that could cause devastating damage or largescale injuries. Right now, its a very dangerous time. We reached a new chapter. If some of these iranian missiles are launched and get through and that there are a significant number of casualties or damage thats done inside of israel, israel is likely to respond in some fashion. This is the concern that we have always had about a spiraling escalation that could lead to a Actualup War in the Middle East, which is the last thing i think anyone wants at this point. As you point out, this is a very difficult time politically for the administration, for any of this to be happening. I want to ask you about nasrallah. The u. S. Didnt know that strike was happening. In fact, they used u. S. Weapons exactly the Bunker Buster weapons that had caused the holdup in the delivery of more of those weapons, because they were used in civilian areas In Gaza when israel said they were targeting at one point with the refugee camp, one hamas suspected target, and hundreds of people arguably have died in these strikes. In any case, talk to me about nasrallah. You have worked in the agency. You know what hatched in 1983 with the marine barracks, when the embassy was bombed in beirut. Stavridis told us yesterday that his roommate in the academy was killed in that 1983 bombing. I suspect you lost people you know. You know people in the agency who have lost people. Nasrallah was a legitimate target. My boss was killed in 1983 in the embassy bombing. Yes, nsnasrallah had a lot of blood on his hands. He led a terrorist organization. Hezbollah has grown into a large organization, political party, social welfare, it involves so many aspects of lebanese daily life as representative of the large part of the lebanese shia population. What the israelis have demonstrated, i think, is tremendous intelligence about where these senior leaders reside or move to, and then also their willingness to incur a large number of civilian casualties as they go after this. Theres been a lot of criticism of israels Targeting Decisions that they are disproportional in terms of the number of innocent civilians who have been killed. But again, its clear that israel, under prime Minister Netanyahu, is determined to cause as much destruction as possible to hezbollah, to hamas, and then to other groups that threaten israels security. Again, the wisdom of some of israels recent actions, i think is yet to be determined, because we dont know what the reverberations are going to be. I am convinced that there are going to be members of hezbollah who are going to try to lash out at israel, israeli interests, jewish interests. Maybe not right now. But this is going to perpetuate the cycle, unfortunately, of violence in the Middle East, where theres an Eye For An eye and unfortunately, were going to be seeing many years ahead of us that are still going to pit unfortunately the inhabitants of the region against one another in a bloody confrontation. Its a biblical context. Understandably, as the u. S. Has been saying, you dont escalate to deescalate and make it possible for your citizens to return home to their homes in northern israel. Thank you so much, John Brennan, for all your experience. We appreciate it. We are keeping a close eye on the Situation Notice Middle East as we continue. U. S. Officials warn of an imminent attack by iran against israel t. Could come at any time. More from the region coming up. First, in 90 seconds, we will break down the matchup between tim Walz And J. D. Vance at Tonights Vice President ial debate. The one and only debate with Kristin Welker. First, a look back at one of the most memorable Vp Debate moments. I served with jack kennedy. I knew jack kennedy. Jack kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you are no jack kennedy. [ cheers and applause ] if youre living with hiv, imagine being good to go without Daily Hiv pills. Good to go off the grid. Good to go nonstop. With cabenuva, theres no pausing for Daily Hiv pills. 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Unlike the harris trump debate, microphones will not be muted while the other candidate is speaking. Cbs news, the host of the debate, says it will leave Fact Checking up to the candidates, not the moderators. Joining me is the moderator of Meet The Press Kristin Welker who did the debate in the last campaign cycle. An extraordinary debate it was. Plus senior advisor to President Bidens 2020 Campaign Alencia Johnson and the former chairman of the republican national committee, michael steele, host of The Weekend on saturday and sunday morning. Its great to have you all. Kristin, you know what the moderators are going through, the knots in their stomach. You solo, you did it with trump. It was incredible, trump and biden. Thank you. Lets talk about how this crisis in the Middle East, plus the other problems, domestic problems, the port strike, the floods, how does all of this affect the white House Strategy and the Harris Strategy . Its a great question. For the debate modermoderators, Envisioning Rewrite something questions as we speak. Lets just take iran, where you started this broadcast. This is creating an extraordinary and incredibly complicated backdrop for the harris walz campaign, beca