U.S. President Joe Biden on Saturday condemned Iran’s massive aerial bombardment of Israel and said U.S. military assets in the region helped take down “nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles” aimed at the country, in an attack that threatens to further widen the six-month conflict that has engulfed the Middle East.
Biden also said he spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone Saturday evening to “reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel.”
The U.S. president also said he would convene leaders of the G7 to “coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.”
“My team will engage with their counterparts across the region. And we will stay in close touch with Israel’s leaders,” said Biden in a statement. “And while we have not seen attacks on our forces or facilities today, we will remain vigilant to all threats and will not hesitate to take all necessary action to protect our people.”
Biden had rushed back to Washington earlier Saturday for an all-hands-on-deck meeting after Iran lobbed some 200 missiles and drones at Israel.
The attack drew condemnation from U.S. allies and humanitarian officials as the first objects were spotted overhead in the region and air raid sirens blared in Jerusalem and Northern Israel.
Iranian officials had previously vowed to retaliate over an April 1 Israeli airstrike on Iran’s Damascus consulate.
Biden issued a photo of himself and Cabinet and intelligence officials early Saturday evening in the Situation Room. In the post, released on social-media site X, he said: “our commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad.”
“Our forces remain postured to protect U.S. troops and partners in the region, provide further support for Israel’s defense, and enhance regional stability,” Austin said in a statement late Saturday.
“We call on Iran to immediately halt any further attacks, including from its proxy forces, and to deescalate tensions,” said the U.S. defense chief. “We do not seek conflict with Iran, but we will not hesitate to act to protect our forces and support the defense of Israel.”
Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement that Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, for a second time Saturday and “praised the extraordinary defensive measures and strong cooperation undertaken to defeat this Iranian attack against Israel.”
U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned Tehran’s “reckless” attack in a statement.
“The UK will continue to stand up for Israel’s security and that of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq,” he said in a statement. “Alongside our allies, we are urgently working to stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation. No one wants to see more bloodshed.”
