The Iranian missile attack on Israel appears to have been defeated and ineffective, US President Joe Biden said, hours after Tehran fired nearly 200 missiles at Israel. The Israeli military reportedly said there was no news of injuries from the attack. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Biden said, "At my direction, the United States military actively supported the defence of Israel.
We are still assessing the impact but, based on what we know, the attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective and this is a testament to Israeli military capability...
(It is) also, a testament to intensive planning (between) the United States and Israel to anticipate and defend against a brazen attack." "Make no mistake, the United States is fully supportive of Israel. And I just spent the morning and part of the afternoon in the situation room, meeting with my whole national security team.
.. The national security team, as I said, is in constant contact with Israeli officials and counterparts.
..," he added.
Biden directed the US military to aid Israel's defence against Iranian attacks and shoot down missiles targeting the country, the White House said. While most of the missiles were destroyed before reaching their target, some did impact and cause minimal damage, the Pentagon press secretary Major General Patrick S Ryder said. Two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers -- the USS Cole and USS Bulkeley -- deployed in the eastern Mediterranean fired a dozen interceptors at the incoming Ir.