US, Israel Signal ‘Joint Response’ After Iranian Missile Barrage

AFP

New York: The United States has announced that it is in talks with Israel regarding a coordinated response after Iran launched a missile barrage at Israel.

US officials have warned Tehran of “severe consequences” following the attack. Israel has vowed to make Iran “pay” for the strike, which occurred late Tuesday, with most of the missiles intercepted.

Israel also pledged to launch powerful retaliatory strikes across the Middle East.

Tehran has threatened to target Israel’s infrastructure if its territory is attacked.

President Joe Biden expressed full support for Israel and said he would consult with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about a response to the missile strike.

Biden did not provide specific details on what the US response would entail, stating only that discussions were ongoing.

The missile attack triggered alarms across Israel, though most of the missiles were intercepted by Israeli and allied air defenses. Iranian state media reported that 200 missiles, including hypersonic weapons, were fired at Israel, targeting military bases around Tel Aviv and other locations.

The Revolutionary Guards claimed responsibility for the attack, which they said was in retaliation for the recent deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, both of whom were killed in attacks attributed to Israel.

In response, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin condemned the missile barrage as an “outrageous act of aggression,” while National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan promised “severe consequences” for Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu also vowed that Iran would “pay” for the attack.

Iran has warned that it would escalate its attacks if Israel retaliates, with Major General Mohammad Bagheri stating that Tehran would strike all Israeli infrastructure if necessary. Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced that Israeli air forces had already begun striking Hezbollah targets in Beirut, with multiple hits reported in the city’s southern suburbs.

As tensions escalate, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged for an immediate ceasefire, calling for a halt to the broadening conflict in the Middle East.

Iran has largely avoided direct attacks on Israel during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, but the missile barrage marks a significant escalation. Iran has framed the attack as a “decisive response” to what it perceives as Israeli aggression.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has increased its military presence in the region, deploying several thousand additional troops as a precaution.

Israel continues to carry out air strikes on Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, while Hezbollah remains engaged in cross-border exchanges with Israeli forces. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties, with over 41,000 deaths reported in Gaza and hundreds more in Lebanon.

Lebanon’s health ministry reported that Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 55 people in the latest round of attacks. The Lebanese disaster management agency has estimated that nearly 1,900 people have been killed in Lebanon since the conflict began. In Gaza, Israeli strikes have also continued, with Israeli forces claiming they opened fire on Palestinians they deemed an “immediate threat.”

As the violence escalates, many in the region have been displaced. Lebanese officials report that almost 240,000 people have crossed into Syria seeking refuge since the conflict intensified. In Beirut, residents are expressing support for Hezbollah’s defense efforts, despite differing political views.