The motivations of the driver of the vehicle, who was quickly arrested by the police, are not yet known.
The driver was arrested. The perimeter around the White House was sealed off in Washington on Wednesday after a van forced its way through security barriers, police told AFP.
The vehicle crossed a barricade at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and H Street, very close to the White House, at dawn Wednesday morning, authorities said, stressing that no injuries have been reported at the moment.
The Secret Service, which ensures the security of high-ranking American personalities, indicated that its services were “examining a suspicious vehicle”. “The driver was arrested and is currently being questioned,” he said.
Washington under tight security
Several nearby streets were closed to traffic. Dozens of police vehicles, flashing lights on, were on site, while tourists and residents waited for the streets to reopen, AFP journalists noted on site.
Washington has been placed under heightened security amid the US-Israeli war against Iran.