President Joe Biden and his national security team closely monitored Iran’s aerial attack on Israel and U.S. forces joined efforts to intercept explosive-laden drones launched by Tehran. Biden reiterated unwavering American support for Israel. According to U.S. defence official and two other anonymous officials, U.S. forces successfully shot down several attack drones launched by Iran towards Israel.
Biden convenes emergency meeting
The defence official stated that interception efforts were ongoing. Biden, interrupting a weekend retreat at his Delaware beach house, convened with his national security team at the White House on Saturday afternoon, just minutes before Israeli authorities confirmed the drone launches from Iran towards their territory. He chaired a principals meeting of the National Security Council in the White House Situation Room to address the unfolding situation before engaging in a late-night discussion with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The attack marked the first instance of Iran directly assaulting Israel, raising the risk of a broader regional conflict. The U.S. and Israel had been anticipating such an attack for days, purportedly in retaliation for an Israeli strike earlier in the month on an Iranian consular building in Syria, resulting in casualties, including two senior Iranian generals from the Revolutionary Guards Quds Force.
U.S. reaffirms support for Israel in face of Iranian threats
The Pentagon reported that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had communicated with his Israeli counterpart regarding urgent regional threats, assuring full U.S. support for Israel’s defence against any Iranian or regional proxy attacks. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also reaffirmed Washington’s steadfast commitment to Israel’s security during his discussions.
National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson issued a statement on Saturday confirming Iran’s airborne assault against Israel and pledging U.S. solidarity with Israel’s defence against Iranian threats. Biden, on Friday, underscored the U.S.’s dedication to defending Israel and warned that Iran’s attempts would fail. When asked about potential U.S. military responses and the timing of an Iranian attack on Israel, Biden refrained from divulging sensitive information but hinted at the likelihood of an imminent threat.
The U.S. and its allies have cautioned Iran against further escalation of the conflict, as there have been frequent clashes between Israeli forces and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group along the Israel-Lebanon border during the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. U.S. officials have documented over 150 attacks by Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria against U.S. bases since the conflict began on October 7. One such attack in late January resulted in the death of three U.S. service members in Jordan, prompting a retaliatory air assault by the U.S. on multiple targets in Iraq and Syria.
Meanwhile, Iranian Revolutionary Guard commandos descended from a helicopter onto an Israeli-affiliated container ship near the Strait of Hormuz, seizing the vessel on Saturday. The NSC spokesperson strongly condemned the seizure, urging Iran to release the ship and its crew immediately and pledging to work with partners to hold Iran accountable for its actions.
Additionally, the Israeli-occupied West Bank witnessed some of the worst violence since Hamas’ initial attack on Israel.
(With inputs from AP)