An iranian strike on israel could come at any moment. As concerns mount, heres what the us president had to say. Reporter mr president , what is your message to iran in this moment . Dont. We are devoted to the defence of israel. We will support israel, we will help defend israel and iran will not succeed. Thank you very much. Our state department correspondent, tom bateman, has this analysis. Well, i think theres two things going on here. Because what weve had is the very public messaging from the white house right up to President Biden himself, which has been around the fear of or the concern of the credible threat of an attack by the iranians onto israeli soil. And what has been said to be an ironclad commitment by The Americans to israels right to defend itself, in the case of that, but then theres been this behind the scenes messaging, which has been going on for several days now, from across the us administration, which has been far more specific about what kind of strike this might involve. Now, that has included, our us news partners, cbs who, speaking to two unnamed officials, of the possibility of up to 150 Cruise Missiles being launched by the iranians on to israeli soil. But that is one of a range of possibilities. And i think what is happening here is there is a concerted attempt by The Americans to try and show what could be the upper reaches of what the iranians are thinking in terms of their retaliation to the suspected israeli strike on the on the diplomatic facility in damascus. And by doing that, The Americans are trying to first of all, get the iranians to step back to stand down the higher end of what the possibilities are, in the context of The Americans also showing their commitment to israel, defending itself after any kind of attack. But i think this is also about trying to say what a worst Case Scenario could be. So if the iranian attack ends up being Something Different elsewhere, or in a sort of slower form, The Americans can then say, well, look, this shows some form of restraint that helps them to try and put pressure on the israelis, not to overreact in any response that they have also threatened. This is about the us trying to cool the temperature in a moment of crisis in the region. And using both these public and private messages, and also a concerted diplomatic attempt messages passed via arab countries to tehran at the moment to try and prevent a major escalation in the region. Live now to benham ben taleblu, seniorfellow at the foundation for the defence of democracies, a think tank that takes a hard line on iran. Very good to have you back with us once again. Do we have any indication as to what an attack from iran could look like . Pleasure to be with you again. Unfortunately, theres a whole host of options available to their Islamic Republic, Ballistic Missiles, Cruise Missiles, a combination. What is unknown is what would be the exact target. Would it be israeli territory . We have had israeli territory . We have had israeli officials talk as well as if they choose to head an Israeli Embassy in the region or if the couple this with something into the maritime domain or with one of their proxy allies be at the us. Does israel have proxy allies be at the us. Does israel have the proxy allies be at the us. Does israel have the defence israel have the defence capabilities for those kinds of attacks . It capabilities for those kinds of attacks . ,. ,. Attacks . It is an excellent question attacks . It is an excellent question. In attacks . It is an excellent question. In Terms Attacks . It is an excellent question. In terms of attacks . It is an excellent question. In terms of coverage, israel has one of the best, if not among the top five, the best integrated air and missile architecture in the world. You want to defend against high and low threats. With some of these things, it could be a numbers game, it could also be decoys. There is a lot that goes into Ballistic Missile defence. If this does happen, what kind of response do you think we could see from israel . Do you think there with the potential for this to go back and forth into some kind of volley between iran and israel . It some kind of volley between iran and israel . Iran and israel . It raises the risk of it iran and israel . It raises the risk of it. While iran and israel . It raises the risk of it. While the iran and israel . It raises the risk of it. While the biggest | risk of it. While the biggest Ballistic Missile barrages since world war ii was when iran fired Ballistic Missiles at bases in iraq. To date, iran has never publicly launched Ballistic Missiles or Cruise Missiles at israeli territory, nor is it in the past 11 Ballistic Missile operations it has undergone in recent history ever attempted to strike a defended target so it would be a game changerfor iran to attempt to strike let alone land a blow against the israelis. Land a blow against the israelis. ~. ,. ,. , ~ israelis. What would that kind of escalation, israelis. What would that kind of escalation, in israelis. What would that kind of escalation, in your israelis. What would that kind of escalation, in your words, | israelis. What would that kind | of escalation, in your words, a game changer, mean for the entire region . How dangerous do you see this moment is being . While i do believe it would be exceptionally dangerous it is important to frontload the danger now to make sure that iran does not do this or retains whatever Military Action it is thinking about right now. There will be debate up right now. There will be debate up until the last minute in iran. The Islamic Republic did not get to be 45 years old by being suicidal. Striking israeli territory it would be a game changer. Israeli territory it would be a game changer. With regard to the united game changer. With regard to the united states, game changer. With regard to the united states, president i the united states, President Biden in an event of an iranian attack the support would be ironclad. What kind of support could come from washington also when we know they have been some frustration and criticism with regards to that attack on syria . With regards to that attack on s ria . � , with regards to that attack on sria . ,. Syria . Theres been diplomatic distance unfortunately syria . Theres been diplomatic| distance unfortunately between the Biden Administration and the Biden Administration and the israeli over the war in gaza. It is down to strategic and political and messaging advantage for the Islamic Republic of iran. But i would see that to be bridged quite closely. We have had strong rhetoric from the president , the deployment of more naval vessels heading to the mediterranean and the highest ranking us Military Official in the region in israeljust recently. All of this frontload is the deterrent for iranians knowing that if you do this, it will be costly. The question is do the iran think that one up The Americans by talk about what was reported the other day that if americans intervene, their position in iraq and syria would be under attack and if The Americans were to be held to account in some other way. Held to account in some other wa. � , held to account in some other wa. � y ,. , held to account in some other wa. � y. , � way. Briefly, if you dont mind, way. Briefly, if you dont mind. Do way. Briefly, if you dont mind, do you way. Briefly, if you dont mind, do you think way. Briefly, if you dont mind, do you think this | way. Briefly, if you dont| mind, do you think this is something israel had been anticipating on when it went ahead with that attack on the Diplomatic Mission in syria . Potentially. I think this target, the killing of general Mohammad Reza zahedi and the rest of the cohort, was about opportunity and following up on people who may have been involved in october seven and with ties to hezbollah an 11 on. I do not set a some kind of track to get the american scene but there are some entire run to see it that way. But there are some entire run to see it that way. Benham ben taleblu, great to see it that way. Benham ben taleblu, great to to see it that way. Benham ben taleblu, Great To Have to see it that way. Benham ben taleblu, Great To Have you to see it that way. Benham ben taleblu, Great To Have you with | taleblu, Great To Have you with us. Thank you for your assessment. After weeks of political wrangling, haitis government has issued a decree that formalises a transitional president ial council. The nine person council, seven of whom will have voting powers, could be sworn in at the national palace, which has been besieged by Armed Street Gangs who hold a tight grip over the capital, port au prince. The council will be tasked with choosing a new Prime Minister and cabinet, following the recent resignation of Prime Minister ariel henry. It is not yet clear who is on the council but one of the main gang leaders, jimmy � barbecue cherizier, has already said his group will not lay down their weapons unless they have some kind of voice at the negotiating table. In recent weeks, russia has targeted critical civilian infrastructure in ukraine, leaving millions without electricity and water. On thursday, over 80 russian missiles and drones attacked targets across ukraine, destroying the largest Electricity Provider for three main regions, including kyiv. And in kharkiv on friday, 10 attacks took place, cutting power to more than 200,000 people. 0ur Eastern Europe correspondent Sarah Rainsford travelled there and sent this report. Russias while on ukraine has entered a new phase. Part russias while on ukraine has entered a new phase. Russias while on ukraine has entered a new phase. Part of a Massive Attack entered a new phase. Part of a Massive Attack on entered a new phase. Part of a Massive Attack on the entered a new phase. Part of a Massive Attack on the energy i Massive Attack on the Energy System across the country. Far from saving ukrainians, is it still claims, russia is trying to plunge the country into darkness. This man has worked at this plant since soviet times. You do not usually hear engineers talk like this. Translation it engineers talk like this. Translation engineers talk like this. Translation , ~ ,. , translation it is like my home has been destroyed. Translation it is like my home has been destroyed. It translation it is like my home has been destroyed. It brings has been destroyed. It brings pain and tears but at the same time, that mobilises us because we know a city of more than a Million People is depending on us. ,. , Million People is depending on us. , us. They are still assessing the damage us. They are still assessing the damage here, us. They are still assessing the damage here, seeing l us. They are still assessing the damage here, seeing what they can salvage. This is where just one of the missiles hit and as you can see, the result is completely devastating. This was an extremely precise attack because this powerplant was hit by the russians a year ago. The company had just got it repaired and just got it working and the russians hit it again. Ukraine is now pleading for Western Allies for more air defences, better protection, because the russian attacks are overwhelming. That has been another air raid alert and this time there is information there is a missile somewhere in the skies heading in this direction so were going to the bunker. There are now long blackouts in kharkiv every day. But among it all, we found a firm making bikinis, a business that has even expanded during the war, adapting to the difficulties and the dangers. Alex shows me the cloud batteries that is now keeping the power on here, charged by the sun. We keeping the power on here, charged by the sun. Keeping the power on here, charged by the sun. We do not think about charged by the sun. We do not think about electricity charged by the sun. We do not think about electricity now. Think about electricity now. One problem is off. 0ne think about electricity now. One problem is off. One problem is resolved . Is resolved . Yes. But the war is resolved . Yes. But the war is always is resolved . Yes. But the war is always on is resolved . Yes. But the war is always on peoples is resolved . Yes. But the war is always on peoples mines. | is always on peoples mines. Russia is very close and the increasing Missile Attacks is worrying. So victoria tells me, keeping the business going is about keeping your spirits up as well. Giving people faith that there is a future here. When night falls, whole neighbourhoods are left in the dark. This is a city that calls itself unbreakable, russia is doing its best to change that. This all comes as us aid to ukraine continues to be stalled in congress. Live now to claudia grisales, congressional correspondent, at npr. Very good to have you with us. There was that morning this week from the ukrainian president Vladimir Zelensky that without further usaid, essentially ukraine could lose the war. When you speak to people in congress, i wonder how that message is being speculating through congress . There are leaders here in congress who were also sounding the alarm that they are running out of time to provide aid for ukraine, one of those are just recently of the house of Foreign Affairs committee, the texas republican who said this really needs to be taken up soon. We know that democrats also have been moving for this to happen but there is a very vocal wing of the House Republican party that has been pushing against this plan and so it is unclear if House Republicans can get there but we heard tonight from, President Trump, who stood alongside house pick up mike johnson and said it was possible we could come together on a plan, perhaps it would be based on the line of some kind, in order to provide this aid. So if republicans are on board, that really gives the potential a lot of hope that perhaps congress could indeed work on a plan. {iii congress could indeed work on a ian,. ,. ,. , congress could indeed work on a plan. Of course all of this comes at plan. Of course all of this comes at a plan. Of course all of this comes at a time plan. Of course all of this comes at a time when plan. Of course all of this i comes at a time when there plan. Of course all of this comes at a time when there are concerns about a potential for any ranian attack on israel. How consenting is that for congress, particularly when we know the aid package is also tied up with aid for israel . Exactly. This has been a major concern today for members of congress. As we know, israel has been entangled in this well with in gaza and they have been controversies as well for democrats. We self senator leader Chuck Schumer speak out against israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu recently, Benjamin Neta nyahu recently, concerns Benjamin Netanyahu recently, concerns about his aggressive role in this war. That said, democrats have said the potential to provide aid will come in a way that is based on certain conditions but a lot has to be revisited here in terms of this foreign aid package when it comes to israel and of course ukraine. [30 package when it comes to israel and of course ukraine. And of course ukraine. Do you think there and of course ukraine. Do you think there is and of course ukraine. Do you think there is a and of course ukraine. Do you think there is a potential and of course ukraine. Do you think there is a potential for l think there is a potential for a change in congress if we do see and iranian attack, particularly when we know president bytedance said support from us would be ironclad . Ironclad . Yes, this is one issue in ironclad . Yes, this is one issue in terms ironclad . Yes, this is one issue in terms of ironclad . Yes, this is one issue in terms of democrats . Concerns with Benjamin Netanyahu that have stalled out work on aid for israel but if we wait to see a potential attack of this scale, would definitely speed up plans for democrats to try and find a way forward and work with republicans to see if they can find an agreement on some sort of military aid package. Realistically, if you look at the situation in terms of us Foreign Policy, the white house is ab