US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan threatens 'consequences' against Iran. Photo: People Dispatch/Screenshot via CNN.
On Tuesday, the US military shot down Iranian missiles headed towards Tel Aviv, launched by Iran as part of a broader response against Israel’s aggression in Lebanon
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on October 1, that Iran’s missile attack on Israel “appears to have been defeated and ineffective.” He also stressed that “this is a significant escalation by Iran, a significant event. We have made clear that there will be consequences, severe consequences, for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make that the case.” Such statements by US officials leave many waiting on potential US retaliation against Iran.
“This is a significant escalation by Iran,” Sullivan said, “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.”
Iran launched nearly 200 missiles at targets in Israel on Tuesday October 1. Iran’s Defense Minister stated that Iran did not have any civilian targets and instead hit three military bases and one intelligence and spying base. According to the IRGC, 90% of its missiles successfully hit Israeli targets. “This operation was carried out within the framework of the right of legitimate defense and according to international laws,” said the IRGC.
Following Israel’s announcement of a ground offensive in Lebanon early on Tuesday, Biden declared that “we should have a ceasefire now.” Yet with Iran’s attack, the perspective has seemed to shift with increased troop deployment and a vow to help Israel attack all “Iran-backed” adversaries.
During Iran’s attack, President Biden had directed the US military to help Israel directly by shooting down Iranian missiles. Iran had launched these attacks on Israel as part of a broader response by Axis of Resistance forces against Israel’s aggression in Lebanon.
The US has multiple permanent bases and military sites across West Asia, and recently deployed three guided-missile destroyers and one amphibious assault ship to the Eastern Mediterranean. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters on Monday that they are gearing up to send thousands more troops and three aircraft squadron to the region.
“I fully support President Biden’s order for the US military to shoot down Iranian missiles targeting Israel, just as we did in April,” said US Vice President Kamala Harris following Iran’s attack. “We will never hesitate to take whatever action is necessary to defend US forces and interests against Iran and Iran-backed terrorists. And we will continue to work with our allies and partners to disrupt Iran’s aggressive behavior and hold them accountable.”
Biden said following the attacks that it was a “testament to Israeli military capability and the US military.”
“It’s also a testament to intensive planning between the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against the brazen attack we expected,” the US President added.
“Make no mistake, the United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel,” Biden said.
The Pentagon stated following Iran’s attacks that the “The Secretary [Lloyd Austin] reaffirmed that the United States remains well postured to defend US personnel, allies, and partners in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations.”
In a statement issued Tuesday night, the IRGC explained that the operation targeted “strategic Israeli centers including air and radar bases and the centers involved in plotting assassination attacks on resistance leaders in the region.”
Iranian Professor Mohammad Marandi said in a recent Sky News interview that Iran’s intention was never to kill civilians. “Unlike the Israeli regime, which constantly carries out slaughter and genocide, and is carrying out a holocause in Gaza, we struck their military targets. Because unlike you, we actually care about human rights.”
