United States: In the aftermath of the extraordinary aerial assaults conducted by Iran against Israel, President Biden conveyed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the US would abstain from participating in a retaliatory strike on Iran, as per a senior administration official.
Israel reported minimal damage to a military installation following over 300 missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles launched from Iran toward Israel on Saturday night, with the majority intercepted before breaching Israeli airspace.
At a late Sunday briefing, IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari stated that Israel successfully intercepted approximately 99 percent of the nearly 350 “self-destructive drones, guided missiles, ballistic missiles, and rockets” launched from Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Hezbollah in Lebanon, as per CBS News.
Although five ballistic missiles breached Israeli and US air defenses, landing within Israeli territory, two US officials informed CBS News. Four of these missiles targeted Nevatim Airbase, identified by US officials as Iran’s primary objective, where Israeli F-35s are stationed. One missile struck a runway, another hit an unoccupied hangar, and a third landed in a hangar no longer in use. A fifth missile, directed towards a radar site in northern Israel, missed its mark, according to officials.
The Iranian assault aimed to overwhelm Israeli and US air defenses with drones and guided missiles, creating an opportunity for the ballistic missiles, officials explained. US aircraft stationed in Jordan and Saudi Arabia awaited the drones, successfully intercepting between 70-80 of them, with some aircraft downing multiple drones.
Overseeing the American operation was CENTCOM commander Gen. Erik Kurilla, who was connected to the White House Situation Room from his command post in Jordan.
This retaliatory strike marked the Islamic Republic’s maiden direct offensive against Israel, arriving less than a fortnight after an airstrike widely attributed to Israel obliterated Iran’s consulate in Syria’s capital, resulting in 13 casualties, including two senior Iranian generals. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi denounced the act as a “cowardly crime” warranting retaliation, reported Agence France-Presse.
Israel has repeatedly targeted Iranian military figures who support militant factions engaging Israel in Gaza and along the Lebanese border. The Damascus strike marked an escalation by targeting an Iranian diplomatic outpost.
In his conversation with Netanyahu on Saturday, President Biden denounced the Iranian incursion while affirming US assistance in neutralizing the incoming drones and missiles, as per a White House statement. Biden reiterated the US’s unwavering commitment to Israel’s security.
John Kirby, National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, described the call between the president and Netanyahu as constructive, focusing on Israel’s successful defense against the airstrikes. Kirby emphasized the US’s efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict, reported CBS News mentioned.
Biden also engaged in discussions with King Abdullah of Jordan on Sunday, acknowledging that Iran’s attack posed a threat to Jordan and its citizens, per a White House statement.
On Sunday, the president convened with G7 leaders to coordinate a diplomatic response to the assault. In a joint statement, the leaders criticized Iran’s actions as further destabilizing the region, pledging to work towards stabilization. They called for an end to Iran’s attacks, expressing readiness to take additional measures if necessary. The United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency session for Sunday afternoon.
Former US Central Command Commander Gen. Frank McKenzie, appearing on “Face the Nation” on Sunday, urged Israel to exercise restraint following the Iranian attack.
McKenzie emphasized Israel’s strengthened position after successfully repelling a significant portion of Iran’s unprecedented assault, framing it as a substantial test of combat capability.
“This was a significant attack by Iran. It represented their maximum exertion,” he remarked. “Iran would struggle to replicate last night’s assault if compelled to do so,” CBS News outlined.
These developments unfolded amidst Israel’s protracted conflict with Hamas, while President Biden faced mounting pressure within his party to adopt a firmer stance towards Israel in light of the significant civilian casualties in Gaza following the October 7 attacks.
According to a CBS News/YouGov poll released before Iran’s drone and missile attack on Israel, an increasing number of Americans urged the president to encourage Israel to cease military operations in Gaza.
“Even under threat from Iran, we have remained steadfast—without wavering—for a single moment—in our vital mission in Gaza to secure the release of our hostages from the grip of Iran-backed Hamas, and in our ethical obligation to exhaust all avenues to bring 133 hostages back home,” Hagari declared during Sunday’s briefing.