US shoots down Iranian drones bound for Israel
The US intercepted Iranian drones en route to Israel following Iran’s retaliatory strike early Sunday. Simultaneously, the UK announced its Royal Air Force (RAF) would intervene with drones “as necessary.”
President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak both condemned Iran’s actions and reaffirmed their support for Israel. Biden remains regularly updated on the situation.
Tehran launched the attack overnight in response to the killing of Major General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, Quds Force Commander, two weeks prior in an airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria.
Iran swiftly blamed Israel for the attack and promised retaliation. Daniel Hagari, spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), reported around 200 drones and missiles launched toward Israel by Iran, with the IDF intercepting the majority.
The escalation prompted Biden to abbreviate a visit to Delaware, returning to the White House for urgent meetings with national security officials.
The White House later shared a photo of the president in the White House situation room, surrounded by top officials including Jake Sullivan, his national security adviser, and Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.
White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said Mr Biden was “in constant communication with Israeli officials, as well as other partners and allies.”
“Our support for Israel’s security is ironclad,” she added. “The US will stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”
Two US officials meanwhile told CBS, the BBC’s partner in the US, that American forces had shot down several Iranian drones, but did not specify where or how they were intercepted.
The RAF is also assisting in the region. A statement by the Ministry of Defence said British jets were ready to intercept attacks within range of the UK’s existing missions in the Middle East.
Additional help has been deployed, the UK ministry added, including more jets and air refuelling tankers.
Iran’s delegation at the UN said Tehran considered that “the matter can be deemed concluded” with its salvo but warned it would strike again if there were reprisals by Israel or its allies.
“Any support or participation in attacking Iran’s interests will have a fierce response from Iran’s armed forces,” the Iranian Revolutionary Guard said in a statement.
Mr Sunak condemned Iran’s attack in a statement, calling it “reckless”, adding that the strikes “risk inflaming tensions and destabilising the region”.
Other nations, including France and Canada, have also condemned Iran and expressed support for Israel.
An administration official told CBS that the NSC meeting lasted around two hours. The official added that Mr Biden would speak to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister, later today.