Iran Attack Israel: U.S. Promises Severe Consequences

iran attack israel

Tehran is poised to face “severe consequences” for its extensive missile assault on Israel on Tuesday, the White House announced, following the U.S. military’s intervention to defend its key Middle Eastern ally for the second time in five months.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan characterized the launch of nearly 200 ballistic missiles aimed at Israel as a “significant escalation,” marking only the second Iran attack Israel on the Jewish state. He noted that President Joe Biden was closely monitoring the situation, as rising violence threatens to undermine one of his primary foreign policy objectives: averting an all-out conflict in the Middle East.

“We are now assessing the appropriate next steps to safeguard American interests and promote stability to the greatest extent possible,” Sullivan stated during a press briefing. He indicated that the attack had largely been ineffective, with only one civilian casualty reported so far.

Sullivan refrained from specifying what form the anticipated repercussions against Iran would take, given the extensive American sanctions already imposed on the nation. “We have made it clear that there will be consequences—severe consequences,” he reiterated, emphasizing collaboration with Israel on this matter.

President Biden addressed reporters shortly after, asserting that the outcome of Iran’s strike reflected the “intensive planning” between the United States and Israel to anticipate and counter such a brazen assault. “Make no mistake,” he declared, “the United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel.”

The president’s remarks followed confirmation from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that American forces successfully intercepted several missiles launched by Iran. Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder revealed that U.S. warships in the Mediterranean, namely the USS Bulkeley and USS Cole, deployed around a dozen interceptors against the incoming ballistic missiles. However, it remains unclear how many of those successfully struck their targets, suggesting that Israel, with its robust air defense capabilities, managed to intercept most of the missiles independently.

“Israel, with active support from the United States and other allies, effectively thwarted this attack,” stated Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “We have once again demonstrated our unwavering commitment to Israel’s defense.”

Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her support for Biden’s decision to extend military assistance to Israel, reaffirming that the U.S. would “never hesitate to take necessary actions to defend American forces and interests against Iran attack Israel.”

In a contrasting viewpoint, former President Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for the upcoming presidential election, criticized Biden and Harris, claiming their policies were “leading us to the brink of World War III” and asserting that “the so-called enemy doesn’t respect our country any longer.”

This incident mirrors the events of April, when Iran executed a significant missile and drone strike in retaliation for an Israeli operation that resulted in the death of a senior Iranian military official in Syria. This attack poses an ominous threat to Israel, which is already entangled in a relentless conflict with Iranian-backed Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, as well as a more contained skirmish with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

U.S. involvement, primarily through intelligence sharing rather than direct military action, appears to have been crucial in this instance. Prior to the missile attack, Israel’s military noted that the U.S. had warned them about Iran’s plans.

U.S. officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive assessments, continue to maintain that Iran does not desire a wider war with Israel—one it is unlikely to win—even following Tuesday’s assault.

Iran’s newly appointed president, Masoud Pezeshkian, previously stated that his country had postponed retaliatory actions for the killing of Haniyeh, claiming that Washington had misled them with promises of an impending cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah.

“There have been several moments in the past year where it appeared we might approach such a conflagration,” he remarked, referencing the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Miller noted that Iran’s missile and drone strike in April represented one such instance. “Through a complex blend of deterrence and diplomacy, the United States has successfully averted a full-scale war, and we will continue to strive for peace in the days and weeks ahead.”

Author

  • News Updates

    As the dedicated admin for CAHeadline, We plays a pivotal role in shaping the news landscape of California. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for journalism, We have been instrumental in curating and managing content that resonates with a diverse Californian audience.