President Joe Biden has declared that the United States Armed Forces will help Israel shoot down any Iranian missiles that target the country.
This declaration comes after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that Iran had fired rockets at various targets in Israel in response to Israel’s invasion of southern Lebanon. The U.S. had reportedly warned the IDF, allowing the Israeli military enough time to engage Iranian munitions with their Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 anti-missile defense systems.
“This is testament to Israeli military capability and the U.S. military,” said Biden. “It’s also a testament to intensive planning between the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against the brazen attack we expected.”
“Make no mistake, the United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel,” the president added.
While most of the Iranian projectiles were successfully intercepted, this does not mean Israel went away unscathed. Media reports note that some of the Iranian missiles directly targeted Tel Aviv, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. (Related: Iran blasts Israel with 180 ballistic missiles; Israel preparing to STRIKE BACK.)
Following the Iranian barrage, Biden ordered U.S. military assets in the region to intercept and shoot down any additional Iranian missiles aimed at Israel. This move highlights the rapidly intensifying situation, with the U.S. now actively involved in defensive efforts to protect its ally.
In response to the crisis, the White House has convened an emergency meeting. Vice President Kamala Harris and top national security teams were involved and helped coordinate the U.S. response.
Reports from Israeli Army Radio indicate that the recent Iranian missile strike against Israel involved over 100 ballistic missiles, marking the largest missile barrage in the country’s history. Israel’s security cabinet reportedly had to convene in a bunker somewhere in or near Jerusalem to discuss defense strategies.
Although Israel’s anti-missile defense systems have managed to intercept many of the rockets, a significant number broke through and hit targets on the ground, causing widespread damage and panic. An Israeli official speaking with the Hebrew-language broadcaster Kan News warned that Iran would face a “harsh” response to the missile attack.
Hellbound and Down 