"Our enemies think that they can pull apart Israel and the United States, but the opposite is true -- they are bringing us together and strengthening our ties", Gallant said, after the two discussed Iran's threats of retaliation for a deadly air strike on its consulate in Syria widely blamed on Israel.

"We stand shoulder to shoulder," Gallant said, adding: "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."

Fears that Iran could soon launch a retaliatory attack spurred France to recommend on Friday that its citizens avoid travelling to the region.

Israel said it was strengthening its air defences and pausing leave for combat units following the April 1 air strike that killed seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards, two of them generals.

Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said Thursday that Iran felt it had no choice but to respond to the deadly attack on its diplomatic mission after the UN Security Council failed to take action.

US President Joe Biden said Wednesday that Iran was "threatening to launch a significant attack on Israel," and pledged "ironclad" support for its top regional ally despite diplomatic tensions over Israel's conduct of the Gaza war.