It is an “incredible military achievement” by Israel, the United States and other partners in repelling “more than 300 drones and missiles” launched by Iran, according to White House spokesperson for national security, John Kirby.
“Several dozen drones and missiles” targeting Israel were shot down by the US military, Kirby said on CNN and NBC on Sunday morning.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement on Saturday that the explosive planes and missiles were launched from the territories of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
Watch the related report by Arash Arabasadi:
“We call on Iran to immediately end any further attacks, including by its proxy forces, and to ease tensions,” the US defense chief said. “We do not seek conflict with Iran, but we will not hesitate to act to protect our forces and support the defense of Israel. »
US President Joe Biden is due to convene a hastily arranged video conference of Group of Seven leaders later on Sunday to “coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack”.
Biden, in a statement before the meeting, stressed that the West was not seeking to further widen the conflict that has engulfed the Middle East for six months.
“My team will collaborate with counterparts across the region. And we will stay in close contact with Israeli leaders,” Biden said. “And while we did not see attacks against our forces or installations today, we will remain vigilant against all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to protect our people. »
Biden spoke by phone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday evening to “reaffirm America’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.”
Biden told Netanyahu, according to media reports, that since the Iranian attack caused only minimal casualties and damage, Israel should not retaliate against Iran.
Biden had rushed back to Washington from a visit to Delaware earlier Saturday and called a meeting in the White House Situation Room with key officials in his Cabinet as Iran launched an unprecedented attack after promising to retaliate following an alleged April 1 Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus. .
The U.S. military has begun moving additional troops and equipment to locations in the Middle East, defense officials confirmed Friday. It has around 40,000 troops in the region.
The US Navy has brought two guided-missile destroyers capable of intercepting incoming drones and missiles closer to Israel in anticipation of the Iranian attack, The Wall Street Journal reported.
US Navy forces in the Red Sea have already intercepted long-range missiles launched towards Israel from Yemen by Iran-allied Houthi forces.
The Biden administration’s response to the Iranian attack will be closely watched by its political opponents, less than seven months before a general election rematch between the Democratic incumbent and his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.
Trump, speaking Saturday at a rally in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, claimed the attack “would not have happened if we had been in power.” He did not specify how.
“God bless the people of Israel,” he said. “They are currently under attack. It’s because we are showing great weakness.”
Even before Iranian drones reached Israeli airspace, some Republican lawmakers began to respond.
Louisiana State Rep. Steve Scalise wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that the United States “must stand firmly with our greatest ally in the Middle East.” East as they defend themselves against Iran,” adding that the Biden administration “cannot continue to capitulate to terrorists.
Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, in a post on X, called on Biden to “act quickly and launch aggressive retaliatory strikes against Iran.”
Meanwhile, Democrat Chris Coons, from Biden’s home state of Delaware, issued a statement of condemnation but also urged U.S. lawmakers to accept Biden’s request for military aid to Israel.
“The House should quickly pass the long-delayed supplemental national security bill next week to ensure our Israeli allies have everything they need to defend against attacks by Iran and its proxies “, did he declare.
And some analysts have pointed out that Biden’s own hesitations on the conflict contributed to Tehran’s decision to strike.
“President Biden must provide unwavering political support to help Israel navigate this critical time,” Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said in a statement sent to VOA. “Biden’s wavering support for Israel in recent months and some Democrats’ threat to cut off military support have surely emboldened (Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei.”
Trita Parsi, co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and also former president of the Iranian American National Council, told VOA that “if Biden had insisted on a ceasefire from the beginning, this whole thing would have been avoided.”
“This is a direct result of Biden’s cuddle to Israel – that is, his constant kowtowing to Netanyahu’s desires and preferences,” he said. “If Biden had condemned the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate and allowed the UN Security Council to condemn it, Iran may not have attacked Israel. »
The Security Council is due to hold an emergency meeting on Sunday afternoon and will be briefed by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report.
