Hours after Iran launched a massive missile strike on Israel, White House stated that Iran’s attack on Israel appeared to have been defeated and that it is not aware of any casualties in Israel following strikes, although it acknowledged that the situation remains ‘fluid’, meaning details could change.
Condemning the attacks, during a press briefing, National Security spokesperson Jake Sullivan referred to the Iranian strikes as a “significant escalation,” but noted that the attack seemed to have been “defeated and ineffective,” with no reported damage to Israeli aircraft or strategic military assets.
Sullivan confirmed that Iran had launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles toward Israel (The Israel Defense Forces had earlier reported that 180 missiles had been fired from Iran.), and that US naval destroyers had assisted Israel in intercepting and neutralizing the threat.
“This is a significant escalation by Iran, a significant event, and it is equally significant that we were able to step up with Israel and create a situation in which no one was killed in this attack in Israel,” Sullivan told reporters at the White House.
Sullivan further revealed that President Biden and Vice President Harris monitored the situation closely from the Situation Room, tracking developments in the Middle East “minute by minute.” He added that the US is consulting with Israel on next steps, with a particular focus on safeguarding American service members in the region. However, there have been no emergency evacuations ordered for US citizens.
However, Sullivan declined to comment on any potential retaliatory actions by either Israel or the US.
Earlier in the day, the US embassy in Jerusalem urged its employees and their families to shelter in place, warning of a complex and volatile security situation. The embassy also noted that restrictions on travel within Israel and the West Bank might be imposed without notice.
Meanwhile, Israel launched Operation Northern Arrow, a ground incursion into southern Lebanon on Monday evening, marking its first sustained military operation in Lebanon since 2006, when Israel and Hezbollah reached a peace agreement after a 34-day war.
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