The United States responded to a missile attack launched by Iran against Israel by firing approximately a dozen interceptors, according to statements from the Pentagon. President Joe Biden confirmed that he directed this military action, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to supporting Israel’s defense. He spent part of the day in the Situation Room, addressing the unfolding situation.
The Israeli military reported that around 180 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel, most of which were intercepted. This marks a significant escalation, as it surpasses an earlier incident in April when Iran launched about 110 ballistic and 30 cruise missiles at Israel.
During a Pentagon briefing, Major General Patrick Ryder stated that U.S. Navy destroyers were involved in the interception efforts. However, he could not confirm whether any of the Iranian missiles were successfully hit during this defense operation. He noted that the Pentagon had not received prior warnings about the impending attack.
President Biden reiterated the U.S. stance of “full support” for Israel following the assault. He indicated that the initial assessments suggest the missile attack was largely ineffective, praising both the Israeli military’s capabilities and the support provided by the U.S. military.
When pressed by reporters about potential responses to Iran, Biden mentioned that discussions were ongoing and that his message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would depend on the outcomes of those assessments. The situation has intensified, complicating Biden’s efforts to manage escalating tensions in the region while striving to mitigate the broader impacts of the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
White House National Security spokesman Jake Sullivan characterized Iran’s missile launch as a “significant escalation.” He asserted that there would be “consequences” for Iran’s actions and that the U.S. would collaborate with Israel to address the situation. However, specific details on what these consequences might entail were not disclosed.
Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, indicated that Washington was using a combination of deterrence and diplomacy to address tensions in the region. When questioned about whether this approach remained in effect as the U.S. worked alongside Israel on a response to Iran, he confirmed that it was.
In response to the missile attacks, Iran’s armed forces issued warnings against any direct military intervention in support of Israel. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that the missile strikes were retaliation for the deaths of key IRGC figures and leaders of Iran-backed militias. They specifically cited the recent killings of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoshan in Lebanon, as well as Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which, while not officially confirmed by Israel, is widely believed to have been carried out by Israeli forces.
As tensions rise further, the dynamics in the region continue to shift, with the U.S. and Israel preparing for potential responses while Iran maintains its aggressive posture. The interplay of military action and diplomatic negotiations will be crucial as leaders navigate this precarious landscape.
