The United States has strongly denounced Iran’s missile strike on Israel, with senior American officials reaffirming their unwavering support for the country as tensions in the Middle East escalate.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that Washington maintained close coordination with Israeli officials during the attacks, reiterating that “Israel has the right to defend itself.” He also emphasized that the United States is closely tracking the situation and consulting its allies on the next steps. “We are engaging with our partners regarding the current developments and will continue to prioritize our best interests,” Miller noted, underscoring the US’s firm stance.
Miller further highlighted Iran’s long-standing history of backing terrorism, adding, “Iran has a legacy of sponsoring terrorist activities for many years, and what we are witnessing now—firing over 200 missiles at Israel—is just the latest in a series of hostile provocations.”
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that the United States actively collaborated with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to counter the missile attacks. “The US worked closely with the IDF to neutralize threats and is currently assessing further risks posed by Iran and its affiliates,” Sullivan said, stressing the strong military partnership between the two allies.
“This is a major escalation by Iran, a serious development,” Sullivan told reporters at the White House. “We have made it clear that there will be consequences, severe consequences, for this attack, and we will support Israel to ensure accountability.”
Sullivan did not elaborate on what those consequences might be but refrained from advising Israel to exercise restraint, unlike the US position in April, when Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israel. At the time, President Biden had urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “consider the victory” and avoid retaliatory action to prevent a broader regional conflict, as Israel sustained minimal damage.
In a separate statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Iran’s missile barrage, deeming it “unacceptable” and urging the global community to rally against Tehran’s aggression. “The entire world must condemn Iran’s attack,” Blinken said, adding, “The United States will always stand by Israel.”
The missile strike by Iran, which involved nearly 200 projectiles, marks one of the most significant escalations in the ongoing conflict between the two nations. The attacks were in response to Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, which have resulted in hundreds of fatalities and displaced over a million people. Although no injuries were reported from the missile barrage, the incident has significantly heightened concerns over the possibility of a wider conflict.
The Biden administration has reiterated that, while it prefers de-escalation, the US will take decisive measures to safeguard its interests and those of its allies in the region. “Iran is operating like a terrorist organization, and it will be held accountable for its actions,” Miller concluded in a firm rebuke to Tehran’s leadership.
As the international community closely monitors the situation, both Israel and the United States are weighing potential responses, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
