President Joe Biden praised American forces for assisting Israel in downing the drones and missiles fired by Iran and promised to coordinate a global response to Tehran’s unprecedented attack. This marked the first direct military assault by Iran on Israel, escalating regional tensions. Biden’s support for Israel’s defense against Iran and its proxies was described as “ironclad,” and he confirmed the deployment of U.S. military assets to help Israel intercept most of the incoming threats.
Biden returned to the White House from a weekend trip to his Delaware beach house after Israeli officials detected drones being launched from Iran towards their territory. He held a National Security Council meeting to discuss the situation before speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The U.S. and Israel had anticipated the attack following a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian building in Syria, resulting in Iranian casualties, including senior generals from the Revolutionary Guard.
A meeting of the Group of Seven advanced democracies was convened by Biden to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s aggression. The Pentagon assured Israel of full U.S. support to defend against any attacks by Iran and its allies. National Security Council spokespersons reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to stand with Israel and support its defense against threats from Iran. The U.S., along with its allies, have been cautioning Iran against further escalation in the conflict.
During the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, there have been frequent exchanges of fire between Israeli forces and Hezbollah along the Israel-Lebanon border. Also, Iran-backed militias have targeted U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria multiple times. In response to a deadly attack on U.S. service members, the U.S. carried out a significant air assault targeting multiple locations. Further complicating matters, Iranian commandos intercepted an Israeli-affiliated vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting condemnation from the U.S., which urged Iran to release the ship and crew immediately.
Biden had reiterated the U.S.’s deep commitment to defending Israel, warning Iran that its attempts would not succeed. He declined to specify the circumstances that could provoke direct U.S. military action but acknowledged the imminent threat posed by Iran. The situation in the Israeli-occupied West Bank also escalated, witnessing heightened violence. The President’s administration, along with its allies, continues to monitor developments closely, sending warnings to Tehran against further aggression. The U.S. remains dedicated to supporting Israel’s security amid growing tensions in the region.
