The Israel Defense Forces confirmed that Iran launched dozens of ballistic missiles toward Israel on Tuesday, in what it said was a response to Israel’s launching widespread attacks in Lebanon, including the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and a ground invasion of the country’s south.
NBC News reported missiles being fired in both Tel Aviv and across the border in Tyre, Lebanon, with smaller streaks of light appearing to come from Israel’s aerial defense system as it tried to ward off the attack. Iran said it concluded the attack roughly an hour after the IDF first alerted that the missiles had been fired. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said after the attack that approximately 180 missiles were fired toward Israeli territory, and while no fatalities were reported, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari called the barrage a “serious attack” and said “there will be serious consequences.”
Senior White House and Defense Department officials warned that Iran was preparing a ballistic missile strike targeting Israel: “The United States has indications that Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel. We are actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack. A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran.”
White House spokesperson Emilie Simons said in a post on X that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had met with the national security team regarding the attack threat: “They reviewed the status of U.S. preparations to help Israel defend against attacks and protect U.S. personnel.”
Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian laid the blame on Israel for escalating violence in the region. In a post on X, Pezeshkian defended Iran’s right to the attack against Israel and said that it launched the missiles “in defense of Iranian interests and citizens,” adding that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should know that Iran “will stand firmly against any threat. This is just a glimpse of our capabilities. Do not engage in conflict with Iran.”
CNN reported that Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement on Tuesday that the U.S. is “tracking events in the Middle East very closely and is committed to Israel’s defense. We’re watching developments, as I said, very carefully at this moment.”
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