Biden condemns Iran’s attacks in ‘strongest possible terms’
President Joe Biden during a statement Saturday night said he condemns “these attacks in the strongest possible terms” against Israel.
“At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week. Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles,” Biden said.
Biden said that his conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed an “ironclad commitment to the security of Israel. I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel.”
Biden said he plans to persuade G7 leaders 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. 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.”
‘We do not seek conflict with Iran’: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said late Saturday night that dozens of missiles and UAVs launched from Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen en route to Israel had been intercepted, and that U.S. troops and allies in the region remained committed to providing continued support for Israel and enhancing regional stability.
Austin called upon Iran and its proxies to “halt any further attacks” and increasing tensions. The defense secretary didn’t threaten the countries with direct force.
“We do not seek conflict with Iran, but we will not hesitate to act to protect our forces and support the defense of Israel,” Austin said.
“I am grateful for the professionalism and the skill of the brave U.S. troops who took part in today’s actions and who continue to stand guard to prevent further conflict or escalation. I will continue to monitor the situation closely and to consult with our allies and partners.”
Israel’s airspaces closed for domestic, international flights, UA cancels planned departures
Airlines canceled flights to and from Israel as the country fended off a barrage of missile and drone attacks from Iran on Saturday.
Israel prepared for the missile and drone attacks by closing its airspace to both domestic and international airlines starting at 12:30 a.m. Sunday local time.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, United Airlines said that it canceled Saturday’s flight from Newark Liberty International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport, in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Trump addresses Iran attack on Israel at Pennsylvania rally
Following Iran’s attack on Israel, former President Trump shared a heated message to those in attendance at his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, vowing it should not have happened.
“Before going any further, I want to say God bless the people of Israel. They’re under attack right now. That’s because we show great weakness,” Trump said to open his speech. “The weakness that we’ve shown is unbelievable, and it would not have happened if we were in office. You know that. They know that, and everybody knows that.”
Trump continued, saying that America is praying for Israel and is sending absolute support to everyone in harm’s way.
Trump supporters worried about President Biden’s ‘weak leadership’ following Iran’s attack on Israel
Prior to former President Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, many of his supporters sounded the alarm about the failures of President Biden’s administration following Iran’s attack on Israel.
Fox News reporters spoke to several people ahead of Trump’s rally who expressed grave concern over the attack on Israel.
“ISRAEL IS UNDER ATTACK! This should never have been allowed to happen — This would NEVER have happened if I were President!,” Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.
The supporters reiterated Trump’s message that strikes on Israel and Ukraine would never have happened if he was still president. They also emphasized the need for leadership, saying that Biden is weak on the world stage.
Iran defends attack on Israel, says UN Security Council failed ‘to maintain international peace’
Iran is defending its drone and missile attack on Israel, calling it a direct response to the deadly attack on its Syrian consulate that the Islamic Republic blamed on Israel.
In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Iran’s ambassador to the U.N., Amir Saeid Iravani blamed the U.N. Security Council for failing “in its duty to maintain international peace and security [by] allowing the Israeli regime to transgress red lines and violate the fundamental principle of international law.”
“Such violations have exacerbated tensions in the region and threatened regional and international peace and security,” Irvani said.
He warned that Iran would “not hesitate to exercise its inherent right of self-defense when required.”“Should the Israeli regime commit any military aggression again, Iran’s response will assuredly and decisively be strong, and more resolute,” he said.
UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting after Iran launches attack on Israel
The U.N. Security Council will hold an emergency meeting Sunday after Iran launched drone and missile attacks on Israel from its territory.
The meeting comes after Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan sent an urgent letter to the President of the U.N. Security Council demanding the Council meet immediately, condemn Iran’s attack on Israel, and designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist organization.
In his letter, Erdan said Iran’s attack was “in clear violation of the UN Charter and international law.”
“Iran has also publicly taken pride in the attack. The attack is a severe and dangerous escalation,” he said.
Iran had been threatening all week to attack Israel after an airstrike widely blamed on Israel destroyed Iran’s consulate in Syria, killing 12 people, including two elite Iranian generals.
By Sunday morning that attack appeared to have been largely ineffective. Israel said it intercepted the majority of missiles launched by Iran.
IDF: majority of Iranian missiles intercepted outside Israel’s border
Israel has successful intercepted the majority of surface-to-surface missile launches from Iran towards Israel territory late Saturday and early Sunday, the IDF said.
The IDF said its Aerial Defense Array successfully intercepted the majority of the launches using the “Arrow” Aerial Defense System, together with Israel’s strategic allies, before the launches crossed into Israeli territory.
“A small number of hits were identified, including at an IDF base in southern Israel, where minor damage was caused to infrastructure,” the IDF said.
“Over the past few hours, many dozens of hostile aircraft, as well as dozens of cruise missiles, from Iran were identified approaching Israeli territory and intercepted. Dozens of IAF fighter jets are currently operating to intercept all aerial threats approaching Israeli territory. The IDF is deployed on all fronts, prepared, and continuing to defend Israeli territory.”
Army vet says US must continue to support Israel so Iran has ‘second thoughts’ about further attacks
Retired Green Beret John Paluska is calling on the U.S. to continue supporting Israel after Iranian launched a series of drones and missiles at the Jewish state late Saturday.
“I think the U.S. should continue to support Israel and pledge whatever intelligence assets are needed in the immediate hours and whatever military assets that Israel will need in the future,” Paluska told Fox News Digital.
Paluska, who was injured by an Iranian-built EFP, or roadside bomb, while deployed in Baghdad, Iraq, said providing that additional support will make Iran have “second thoughts about further attacks.”
His comments come hours after Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel, firing more than 100 bomb-carrying drones. Hours later, Iran said it had also launched more destructive ballistic missiles.
The attack was widely expected as Iran had been threatening Israel this past week after an airstrike destroyed Iran’s consulate in Syria, killing a dozen people, including two of Iran’s top generals.
Paluska argued that there was no reason for financial markets to panic, and that the latest move was likely posturing from Iran.
“I do not believe that we’re at a point where either side wants to be involved in a full-scale kind of war with ground troops,” he said. “Iran is taking some pride in this large scale aerial attack, but it is rather low tech and rather unimpressive.”
He further argued that Iran’s ultimate aim was likely to distract Israel from their current engagement of ridding the Gaza Strip of Hamas militants.
“The message is they want to show … that they have their strength and power and that their enemies should back out. And personally, I think that it will stop here,” Paluska said.
“I don’t think that there will be much more after this conflict. There will be posturing and there will be lots of threats. But Iran knows that the U.S. will step in. Israel knows that they’re going to lose momentum in Gaza because they’re going to have to refocus military efforts on Iran. And so it’s not beneficial to either of those countries.”
UN secretary-general condemns Iranian missile attack on Israel
“I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran this evening. I call for an immediate cessation of these hostilities,” United Nations chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement.
“I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East. I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war.”
Iran warns US to ‘stay away’ as America shoots down drone launched at Israel
Iran’s mission to the United Nations argued that the country’s missiles and drones fired toward Israel were justified, warning the U.S. to “stay away.”
“It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!,” Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in a statement.
Iran’s warning came as U.S. officials confirmed to Fox News that the U.S. military is continuing to shoot down Iranian drones that are headed toward Israel.
Iranian missile intercepted over Jerusalem
Israeli forces have intercepted a missile over Jerusalem hours after Iran launched an attack from its own territory.
The Israeli military says Iran has fired more than 100 bomb-carrying drones toward Israel. Hours later, Iran launched more destructive missiles.
Advanced air defense systems protect Israel from drones, missiles
As Iran launched a large wave of attack drones and missiles toward Israel on Saturday, the Israeli military was tracking and preparing to intercept the weapons in the first-ever direct attack on Israel by the Islamic Republic, the Times of Israel reported.
Earlier Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had for weeks “been preparing for the possibility of a direct attack from Iran.”
Netanyahu said Israel’s “air defenses are deployed, we are ready for any scenario, both in attack and in defense.”
Israel’s missile defense system includes a complex range of weapons to protect and defend its country.
Iran’s attack on Israel: What drones and missiles will Tehran use in its strikes?
Iran launched dozens of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), also known as drones, at Israel on Saturday evening local time after a week of threatening retaliation for an attack on a consulate in Damascus.
“Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel,” White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement Saturday. “President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House.”
Iran’s state-run news agency Mehr News reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) had announced the start of the “anti-Zionist operation,” which would hit targets in the Palestinian territories, with further details of the operation announced soon.
Lawmakers send message to White House on impending Iran drone attack to Israel: ‘Stand firm’
Lawmakers reacted after Iran launched drones from its own territory toward Israel late Saturday, calling for the White House to “stand firm” and “stop coddling Iran.”
Speaker Mike Johnson pledged America’s “full resolve” to stand with Israel.
“As Israel faces this vicious attack from Iran, America must show our full resolve to stand with our critical ally,” Johnson said in a statement. “The world must be assured: Israel is not alone.”
Johnson promised to “insist upon a proper response” from the White House.”I will continue to engage with the White House to insist upon a proper response,” he said. “The Biden Administration’s undermining of Israel and appeasement of Iran have contributed to these terrible developments.”
US military has shot down ‘dozens’ of Iranian drones headed toward Israel
The U.S. military has shot down “at least dozens” of Iranian drones en route to Israel late Saturday and early Sunday, a senior U.S. official tells Fox News.
“U.S. forces in the region continue to shoot down Iranian-launched drones targeting Israel. Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect U.S. forces operating in the region,” a U.S. official said.
The interceptions come hours after Iran launched drones, and later ballistic missiles, following a deadly strike on its Syrian consulate earlier this month.
Fox News can confirm that the U.S. closely coordinate with Jordan and Egypt.
Iran said earlier Sunday that its attack “can be deemed concluded” but warned it would respond decisively to any nation that let Israel use its airspace to attack Iran.
Iran state media: Tehran has fired ballistic missiles at Israel
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency says Tehran has fired ballistic missiles at targets inside Israel.
The statement came hours after Israel’s military said Iran had launched drone attacks from its own territory toward Israel.
Tehran threatens ‘decisive response’ to any country that lets Israel use its airspace to attack Iran
Iran’s defense minister has warned that Tehran will give a “decisive response” to any country that allows Israel to use its airspace for attacking Iran.
The message comes after the IDF said late Saturday that Iran had launched drones toward Israel, marking the first time Iran had launched a full-scale military assault on Israel despite more than four decades of hostilities.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with war cabinet after Iran launches drone strike
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting with his War Cabinet at the Kirya in Tel Aviv early Sunday after Iran launched a drone strike on Israel.
White House says US support for Israel is ‘ironclad,’ will ‘support their defense’ amid Iran attack
The White House vowed Saturday that the United States’ support for Israel’s security is “ironclad,” pledging to stand with the Jewish state and “support their defense” after Iran launched an aerial drone attack towards the country Saturday afternoon.
Iran launched drones from its own territory toward Israel late Saturday, days after its Supreme Leader warned it would hit back in response to an airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Syria that left several generals dead.
“Iran has begun an airborne attack against Israel,” White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement Saturday. “President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House.”
IDF states they are ‘ready to fulfill’ mission after Iran launches ‘killer’ drones
Iran launched drones toward Israel late Saturday, the Israeli military announced, and Iran’s state-run media reported that dozens had been fired.
The Israeli army’s spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said it would take several hours for the aircraft to arrive and that the country was prepared.
“We are closely monitoring Iranian killer drones that are en-route to Israel sent by Iran,” he said. “This is a severe and dangerous escalation. Our defensive and offensive capabilities are at the highest level of readiness ahead of this large- scale attack from Iran.”
Hagari said Israel is “prepared and ready” with defensive and offensive actions. He also said there was “tight” cooperation with the U.S. and other partners in the region.
