The US Intercepts Iranian Missiles Fired at Israel
WASHINGTON — In a dramatic turn of events, the US fired approximately a dozen interceptors at the barrage of Iranian ballistic missiles launched at Israel on Tuesday, as confirmed by the Pentagon.
US President Joe Biden asserted that the US provided active support to Israel’s defense under his direction, spending the morning in the Situation Room — the nerve center of the White House for handling critical national security matters.
The Israeli military reported that around 180 missiles were aimed at Israel, with most of them successfully intercepted.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian defended the attack, describing it as a “decisive” response “in defense of Iranian interests and citizens”.
US Navy Destroyers Fire Interceptors at Iranian Missiles
During a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday, Maj Gen Patrick Ryder disclosed that two US Navy destroyers launched the interceptors at the missiles, believed to have originated from Iran.
Ryder did not confirm whether the interceptors hit any of the Iranian missiles used in the attack, emphasizing that this information was still pending verification.
The Pentagon was unaware of any prior warning for the attack, Maj Gen Ryder added.
President Biden Stands Firm in Support of Israel
President Biden reiterated the US’s unwavering support for Israel following the assault on Wednesday.
“Today, at my direction, the United States military actively supported the defence of Israel, and we’re still assessing the impact,” he stated.
He highlighted the effectiveness of the defense, crediting the Israeli military capability and the support of the US military.
Consequences Await Iran for the Attack
White House national security spokesman Jake Sullivan labeled Iran’s attack as a “significant escalation”, warning of severe consequences.
While the specific repercussions were not detailed, Sullivan emphasized the US’s commitment to work with Israel to ensure accountability.
Iran Warns Against Military Intervention
Iran’s armed forces cautioned against direct military intervention in support of Israel, citing retaliation for past incidents involving Iranian commanders.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) referenced recent killings of key figures linked to Iran, signaling a volatile situation in the region.
As the situation unfolds, the world watches closely to see how the involved parties navigate the escalating tensions.
