It came just hours after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin assured that the US played a “crucial” role in helping Israel survive an Iranian airstrike on Tuesday. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant That the US has “increased force readiness” and stands ready.
“This is a significant escalation by Iran,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters on Tuesday. “It is equally important that we were able to step forward with Israel and create a situation in which no one in Israel was killed in this attack.”
The comments came after a major missile attack by Iran, in which about 180 missiles were fired at Israel.
According to Iranian state media, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the attack was in retaliation For Friday’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed along with IRGC commander and military adviser Brig. Gen. Abbas Nilforoushan, as well as Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed during a visit to Tehran in July.
Israel’s Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on October 1, 2024. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
“In response to the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh, Seyyed Hassan Nasrallah and Martyr Nilfaroshan, we targeted the heart of the occupied territories,” the IRGC said in a statement reported by Iranian media. “If the Zionist regime reacts to Iran’s operations, it will face crushing attacks.”
Israel closed its airspace after the attacks, residents of tel aviv and Jerusalem were ordered to shelter in place and, according to Israeli news outlets, the Israeli security cabinet said it would meet in a bunker in Jerusalem on Tuesday night. jerusalem post,
It is unclear whether the Iranian missiles contacted any targets, although the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) told Fox News Digital that no casualties were so far known.
Map showing the location of US Navy assets in the Middle East.
In a statement to Fox News, a US defense official said, “In line with our steadfast commitment to Israel’s security, US forces in the area are currently defending against Iranian-launched missiles targeting Israel.
“Our forces are deployed to provide additional defensive support and protect US forces operating in the area,” the official said.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, standing at right, and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, standing at left, listen to the Israeli national anthem during an induction ceremony at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (P Photo/Susan Walsh)
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Earlier on Tuesday, the Pentagon said in a readout regarding the second call Austin made with Gallant in the past 24 hours, the secretary “made it clear that the United States is committed to protecting U.S. personnel, allies, and partners.” Well prepared.” “We continue to face threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations and are committed to preventing any actor from exploiting tensions in the region or expanding the conflict.”
Three American guided-missile destroyer Deployed off the eastern Mediterranean to help defend Israel, include the USS Arleigh Burke, USS Bulkeley and USS Cole — which reportedly played a closely coordinated role in defending against the Iranian attack on Tuesday.
Sullivan said, “Today, Iran fired approximately 200 ballistic missiles toward targets in Israel. The United States military coordinated closely with the Israeli Defense Forces to help defend Israel against this attack.” “US naval destroyers join Israeli air defense units in firing interceptors to shoot down incoming missiles.”
In April, during the last major attack by Iran on Israel, when it fired more than 300 drones and missiles, USS Arleigh Burke and USS Carney used guided-missile destroyers to shoot down more than 81 attack drones and at least six ballistic missiles. Missiles shot down.
The ballistic missiles were shot down using SM-3 ballistic missile interceptors from ships that were also deployed in the eastern Mediterranean at the time. The SM-3 has a range of up to 1,550 miles.
Israel has a number of defense systems of its own in addition to those provided by its offshore allies, including the infamous Iron Dome, designed to intercept short-range rockets and artillery shells fired from two to 43 miles away. Is designed.
Rockets fly in the sky, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, as seen from Tel Aviv, Israel, on October 1, 2024. (Reuters/Ammar Awad)
But it also has systems capable of intercepting missiles fired from greater distances, such as its Arrow Missile Defense System, which can intercept missiles fired from up to 1,500 miles away and above the Earth’s atmosphere.
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The air defense system, known as David’s Sling, is also designed to intercept enemy aircraft, drones, tactical ballistic missiles, medium to long-range rockets and cruise missiles fired from 25 to 190 miles away.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said it was believed the Iranian attacks had stopped, and told Israelis it was safe to leave their shelters.
“During the defense, we carried out several interceptions. There have been some impacts in areas in the center and south of the country,” Hagari said Tuesday night local time. “At this stage we are still assessing (the attack), but we are unaware of the number of casualties.”
