The United States played a direct role in assisting Israel in defending against a significant missile attack from Iran, U.S. officials confirmed on Tuesday. The Iranian assault, which targeted various locations across Israel, marks a dramatic escalation in regional tensions, spurred by Israel's recent military actions against Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups. President Joe Biden, speaking from the White House, stated that U.S. military forces were instrumental in neutralizing the missile barrage, which he described as "defeated and ineffective."
"Today, at my direction, the United States military actively supported the defense of Israel," Biden said in his first public remarks after the attack. "This is a testament to Israeli military capability and the U.S. military," he added, reaffirming the strong partnership between the two nations. Vice President Kamala Harris echoed the president's sentiments, emphasizing the U.S.'s unwavering support for Israel and condemning Iran's actions as destabilizing for the region.
The Iranian missile strike, which involved approximately 200 ballistic missiles, was launched in retaliation for the recent Israeli airstrike that killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. According to the Pentagon, U.S. Navy destroyers USS Bulkeley and USS Cole, positioned in the eastern Mediterranean, fired around a dozen missile interceptors to help Israel thwart the attack. Most of the missiles were reportedly intercepted before causing any significant damage.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, confirmed that while the U.S. Navy's interceptors were deployed, it remains unclear how many of the Iranian missiles were successfully neutralized by U.S. forces versus Israel's defense systems. "We are still assessing the full impact," he said, but initial reports suggest that no major Israeli military assets were compromised.
A Growing Regional Conflict
The Iranian missile barrage follows weeks of escalating conflict across the Middle East, as Israel grapples with Hezbollah in Lebanon and continues its military campaign in Gaza. The war in Gaza, which began over a year ago with Hamas militants attacking Israel, has resulted in the deaths of more than 41,000 Palestinians according to local health authorities. In retaliation, Israel has intensified its strikes against Iran-backed groups across the region, including Hezbollah. Tensions reached a new high last week when Israeli forces targeted Nasrallah in a high-profile airstrike in Beirut.
In a Pentagon briefing, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan characterized Iran's missile attack as a "significant escalation" in the ongoing conflict. He emphasized that the U.S. had anticipated such an attack and had taken precautionary measures. "We've been in constant communication with Israeli officials, and we remain fully committed to their defense," Sullivan stated, while also underscoring the seriousness of Iran's aggressive actions.
Although the U.S. has long sought to prevent a wider regional conflict, President Biden refrained from outlining specific recommendations for how Israel should respond to the Iranian strike. "That's an active discussion right now," Biden said, adding that consultations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his administration are ongoing.
Calls for Retaliation
The missile attack has also reignited debates on Capitol Hill over the U.S.'s role in the Middle East and how to respond to Iran's growing influence. Republican lawmakers, including Senator Lindsey Graham, were quick to call for an aggressive retaliation against Iran. "This is a breaking point," Graham said in a statement, urging the Biden administration to coordinate with Israel on a powerful response. He called for targeting Iran's oil refineries, which would severely impact its economy.
Other Republican leaders joined in, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell calling for the immediate replenishment of Israel's munitions supplies and urging more decisive action against Iran. "It's time for America to act like the friend of Israel we claim to be," McConnell said, insisting that intercepting missiles is not enough to neutralize the threat from Tehran.
Iran Defends the Attack
In Tehran, Iranian officials defended their missile strike, calling it a "decisive" response to Israeli aggression. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian framed the attack as a defense of Iranian interests and citizens, particularly following the deaths of top Iranian and Hezbollah leaders in Israeli airstrikes. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) also issued a statement warning against any further Israeli or U.S. military action, pledging additional retaliation if necessary.
The IRGC's statement specifically cited the deaths of Nasrallah and Abbas Nilforoshan, a senior commander within the IRGC, as justification for the missile attack. Iran also referenced the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this year, for which Israel is widely believed to be responsible, though it has not officially claimed the action.
