President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that he has directed the U.S. military to assist Israel in intercepting Iranian missiles, stating that the attack seemed to have been “defeated and ineffective.” In his initial public remarks on the situation, Biden praised both Israeli military capabilities and extensive planning between the United States and Israel to combat such brazen assaults.
“Make no mistake, the United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel,” Biden emphasized.
Vice President Kamala Harris also expressed her strong support for Biden’s directive, condemning the Iranian missile strikes and labeling Iran as a destabilizing force in the Middle East. She stated, “I condemn this attack unequivocally,” and highlighted that the incident illustrates Iran’s dangerous role in the region.
The missile strikes from Iran were described by officials as a “significant escalation,” reportedly launched in response to the prior killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. According to Pentagon officials, around 200 ballistic missiles were aimed at various targets in Israel. U.S. Navy destroyers positioned in the eastern Mediterranean fired approximately a dozen interceptors to counter the incoming missiles, as detailed by Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan indicated that there were no immediate reports of damage to Israeli military assets or aircraft resulting from the attacks. Biden and Harris received ongoing updates from their national security team while monitoring the situation from the White House Situation Room.
In response to inquiries about Israel’s potential actions following the attack, Biden remarked that discussions were ongoing, stressing the importance of data collection and consultations with Israeli officials.
The Biden administration has been cautious about escalating regional conflicts amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. When pressed during a briefing about potential recommendations for a limited Israeli response similar to past events, Sullivan refrained from commenting on the president’s strategy.
Before the attacks, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin had briefed Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant regarding the potential threat from Iran. The White House has postponed a scheduled call for Biden with rabbis in anticipation of the Jewish High Holidays.
Reactions from Capitol Hill included Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who called for a strong response to Iran’s actions, suggesting coordinated military actions against Iranian oil infrastructure. House Republican leaders also urged the administration to convey a strong message to Iran, criticizing previous approaches and advocating for a more robust strategy. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell called for decisive actions and the replenishment of Israel’s critical munitions supply, asserting that merely issuing statements or intercepting missiles is insufficient.