U.S. President Joe Biden has ordered the military to intercept Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Israel, according to a statement from the White House on Tuesday following the launch of an Iranian missile attack.
Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are closely monitoring the situation from the White House Situation Room, receiving regular updates from their national security team, the statement said.
“President Biden has directed the U.S. military to assist in Israel’s defense against Iranian missile attacks,” the White House confirmed.
A senior official previously informed Anadolu that Iran would face “severe consequences” if it proceeded with its attacks, which the U.S. warned about earlier on Tuesday.
Israeli Army Radio reported that rockets fell in open areas of Netanya, part of the Hod Hasharon district near Tel Aviv. The Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper noted that explosions were heard in various parts of the district, but details remained sparse.
Israel’s Home Front Command issued sirens across lower and central Galilee, alerting residents to potential rocket fire.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) released a preliminary statement claiming the missile strike was in retaliation for the assassinations of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoshan.
Haniyeh was killed in Tehran last month, while Nasrallah and Nilforoshan were assassinated in a Beirut airstrike on Friday.
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The IRGC warned that Israel would face “more crushing attacks” if it retaliated against the missile assault and indicated that the operation had the backing of the Iranian army and Defense Ministry.
Tensions have escalated between Tehran and Tel Aviv since Haniyeh’s assassination on August 1, with Iran blaming Israel and promising a strong response.
The killing of Nasrallah, a significant ally of Iran, provoked strong condemnation from Iranian leaders.
It remains unclear whether the missiles launched at Israel successfully hit their targets or if there were any casualties or damage reported. #biden
(aa.com)
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