Washington—AP-TIME reports that the White House believes it is highly likely that Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime, not the rebel opposition, was behind the use of chemical weapons in Syria. Spokesman Jay Carney told the press, “We are highly skeptical of suggestions that the opposition could have or did use chemical weapons….We find it highly likely that any chemical weapon use that has taken place in Syria was done by the Assad regime.”

When questioned about the Israeli attack on Damascus, Carney said, “The transfer of sophisticated weapons to terrorist organizations like Hezbollah is certainly a concern and a threat to Israel and it has the right to act in its own sovereign interest…in response to those concerns.”

When asked if U.S. had been told about the strikes before they happened, Carney said: “We are in close coordination as a matter of course with the Israelis, and continue to be.”