On Tuesday, President Joe Biden directed the US military to aid Israel’s defense and intercept Iranian missiles headed toward the country, marking a significant escalation in the Middle East conflict.
The White House said that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were closely watching the situation from the Situation Room.
“President Biden directed the U.S. military to aid Israel’s defence against Iranian attacks and shoot down missiles that are targeting Israel,” the White House said in a statement.
The situation erupted on Tuesday, when the Israeli military and Iranian state media reported missile launches from Iran toward Israel, signaling a substantial rise in hostility.
The missiles were fired against Israel’s largest cities, including Tel Aviv, in retribution for the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Nasrallah was killed in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, while Haniyeh died in a bombing in Tehran that was generally blamed on Israel.
Air raid sirens sounded throughout Israel, and explosions were heard in Jerusalem as the country’s air defense systems attempted to intercept the missiles.
Israeli airspace was promptly closed, and nearby Iraq and Jordan followed suit, closing their airspaces as missile threats increased.
The conflict has already seen earlier strikes, including Israeli ground raids in southern Lebanon, which targeted Iranian-backed militants.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant previously discussed the growing Iranian threat with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, leading to the deployment of additional U.S. troops to the region.
International leaders, including Russia and China, have called for de-escalation, with the United Nations raising alarms over the growing humanitarian crisis.
The conflict has displaced thousands and resulted in numerous casualties, with continued airstrikes in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria exacerbating the situation. Despite global calls for calm, the violence continues to spiral, prompting concerns of broader regional destabilization.
