Biden has ordered Israel to strike down the Iran missiles and directed the US Military to aid Israel's defence
Biden has ordered Israel to strike down the Iran missiles and directed the US Military to aid Israel's defence
Iran launched a series of missiles toward Israel on Tuesday, claiming it was a direct response to the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and others.
CNN teams stationed across Israel reported seeing numerous missiles overhead, with some intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, though it remains unclear how many. Israel's military confirmed that sirens blared across the nation, signaling the incoming threat.
According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an estimated 180 "projectiles" were fired by Iran. He reported that no injuries were sustained and emphasized that this was not the first time Israel had faced threats from Iran. "We are prepared for this," he said, further warning of significant consequences following the attack.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the missile barrage, which it said was retaliation for Nasrallah's killing, as reported by Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency.
Following the missile launch, Iran’s mission to the United Nations stated that the attack was in response to what it called “terrorist acts of the Zionist regime.” The mission warned on X (formerly Twitter) that any further action by Israel would result in a “crushing response.”
US Warnings of an 'Imminent Attack'
Earlier that day, the White House issued a statement warning of an impending ballistic missile strike by Iran against Israel, heightening concerns of a broader conflict in the region.
In response, people in cities like Tel Aviv were urged to remain close to shelters, and tensions rose on the streets. Hours before the missiles were launched, the White House confirmed that the U.S. was actively supporting Israel’s defensive efforts and cautioned that any direct attack on Israel by Iran would lead to "severe consequences" for Iran.
Israel had assessed that Iran might target three air bases and an intelligence center just north of Tel Aviv. Some of the missiles appeared to aim for these military sites, and the intelligence base in Glilot was evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts were reportedly underway behind the scenes, as Israeli sources told CNN shortly after the White House’s warning.