Iran launched about 200 ballistic missiles toward Israel on Tuesday, sending millions of Israeli citizens scurrying to bomb shelters and causing world governments to watch closely. As the situation unfolded, Israeli military leaders and U.S. officials were carefully monitoring the situation.
A flurry of red alerts flooded missile warning systems on phones. But the Iran bombardment reached all across the country, even into Tel Aviv and around Jerusalem. Two waves of missile attacks took place from a powerful enemy. This attack also sent Israel President Benjamin Netanyahu and military officials to offer words of comfort to their citizens.
After the attacks, United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke out about it. “This is totally unacceptable, and the entire world should condemn it,” Blinken said, according to a report from The Associated Press. Blinken added that reports the American government received are showing that Israel and its allies “effectively defeated this attack.”
Israel Activity Watched By Biden, Harris
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were reportedly keeping up with events in the Middle East from the Situation Room at the White House. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that U.S. destroyers also fired missile interceptors toward some inbound missiles. Sullivan also said that Tuesday’s ballistic missile attack is “a significant escalation by Iran.” He added that there would be “significant consequences” felt by Iran.
“We congratulate the heroic rocket launch carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Iran, on large areas of our occupied territories, in response to the occupation’s continuing crimes against the peoples of the region, and in retaliation for the blood of our nation’s heroic martyrs,” a Hamas representative said, according to Reuters.
In the Reuters report, it stated that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was talking with Israel leader Netanyahu on Tuesday. Starmer also condemned the attack. It started happening while Starmer and Netanyahu were talking on the phone. Starmer also said that he, in the “strongest terms,” condemned the action that Iran took against Israel.
Seeing Iran’s attack can turn into emboldening groups that support the country. For instance, Iraqi militias who are backed by Iran have spoken out. They said that if the U.S. takes part in “any hostile action” against Iran, then U.S. interests in the Middle East will face threats. This statement came out Tuesday from the Coordination Committee for the Iraqi Resistance. The group also sent a warning toward Israel. It said that Israel should not use Iraqi airspace to retaliate against Iran. Additionally, the group said that “all American bases and interests in Iraq and the region will be our target.”
Tel Aviv Shooting Kills Six
U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria have come under attack from Iran-backed militias. These groups have indicated that they are working to retaliate for Washington’s support of Israel.
While this was taking place, a shooting in Tel Aviv killed six people. Local police said that two suspects opened fire on Tuesday night in Jaffa. That’s located in southern Tel Aviv and is a mixed Arab-Jewish neighborhood. Both suspects were killed. This attack took place moments after Iran hit Israel with its ballistic missiles.
The Iron Dome was activated for the Iran attacks. It’s been a preventative way to protect Israel from any low-firing missile attacks. But the missile attack from Iran simply was too much for the Iron Dome to handle.
World leaders are carefully watching what happens between Israel and Iran over the coming hours. The ballistic missile attacks marked a definite escalation between both countries. It’s highly possible that Iranian proxies might take advantage of this moment. Yet Israel has proven to have an ability toward taking care of itself in a time of need. Military leaders are working on their retaliatory plans. Netanyahu and his military personnel will be watching what happens in the coming hours and days.
Biden has been in contact with Netanyahu as the Middle East continues to be a hot bed of trouble. He will continue to be in contact with him as will other American military and diplomatic personnel.
