President Joe Biden said that American forces assisted Israel in intercepting nearly all the drones and missiles launched by Iran on Saturday. However, he seemed to steer the United States’ key ally away from retaliating against Tehran by noting Israel’s demonstration of strength.
Biden announced his intention to convene fellow G7 leaders on Sunday to synchronize a diplomatic response against Tehran, signaling his efforts to avoid further military escalation that could spark a broader conflict in the Middle East.
Emphasizing Washington’s unwavering support for Israel, Biden disclosed that he had personally assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the United States’ “ironclad” backing. This reassurance came after recent strained relations over Israel’s engagement in Gaza.
“I conveyed to him that Israel exhibited remarkable defensive capabilities, successfully countering even unprecedented attacks—sending a clear message to adversaries that they cannot imperil Israel’s security effectively,” Biden stated.
The Israeli military announced on Sunday that 99 percent of Iran’s barrage of drones and missiles had been intercepted. It reiterated that the armed forces remained fully operational and were deliberating on potential follow-up measures.
During a televised briefing, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesperson, characterized Iran’s actions as “highly serious,” warning that they could escalate tensions in the region.
Israel reopened its airspace at 7:30 a.m. (0430 GMT) on Sunday, according to the country’s airports authority, following an overnight assault involving hundreds of Iranian missiles and drones. It cautioned that flight schedules from Tel Aviv might be impacted, advising travelers to verify flight information.
Biden revealed that he had directed the deployment of US military aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the Middle East in response to the perceived threat following an alleged Israeli strike on Iranian targets in Damascus.
“Through these deployments and the exceptional expertise of our service members, we aided Israel in neutralizing nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” Biden affirmed.
