The culmination of a tense two weeks came to fruition when Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel using a multitude of drones and missiles.
In response to an Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus, which resulted in the deaths of two high-ranking officers, Tehran had repeatedly threatened retaliation.
American aircraft and planes successfully intercepted and destroyed numerous drones and missiles during the attack.
The United States played a significant role, both militarily and diplomatically, in countering the assault. Iran unleashed a barrage of over 100 medium-range ballistic missiles, more than 30 land-attack cruise missiles, and over 150 attack drones towards Israel. US forces effectively engaged and neutralized more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and at least six ballistic missiles that were intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen.
President Joe Biden closely monitored the situation in the Situation Room at the White House, receiving real-time updates as the attack unfolded. The senior administration official described the atmosphere as tense, with over 100 ballistic missiles in the sky and uncertain results until the conclusion of the defenses.
The catalyst for this attack was Israel’s strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus on April 1, which resulted in the deaths of seven Revolutionary Guards, including two generals. Tehran issued warnings of retaliation following this incident, and top US officials were briefed on the details of the strike during a visit by the Israeli ambassador and defense attached at the White House.
Israel conducted an attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus on April 1, resulting in the deaths of seven Revolutionary Guards, including two generals. This action led to warnings from Tehran about a potential retaliation.
Senior US officials were briefed on the strike when the Israeli ambassador and defense attached visited the White House, according to a senior administration official.
A directive was issued by Biden a few days later, instructing the government to “safeguard Israel to the fullest extent feasible” and to guarantee the presence of all essential authorities and resources to accomplish this objective. This directive prompted officials to swiftly take action.
Prior to the assault, American officials such as Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken maintained regular communication with the Israelis and various Middle Eastern nations.
Lieutenant General Erik Kurilla, the leader of the US military command overseeing the area, was deployed to the region to offer immediate updates and collaborate with the Israelis and other allies.
The senior administration official stated that the United States maintained contact with Iran, utilizing “a sequence of direct communications via the Swiss channel.”
Furthermore, a US defense official confirmed that Washington dispatched supplementary military resources to the area “to enhance regional deterrence initiatives and strengthen the security of US forces.”
The primary objective of the United States throughout the recent escalation of tensions between Israel and Hamas over the past six months has been to avoid the situation escalating into a wider regional conflict, with a strong emphasis on de-escalating tensions in the region.
“We will not be involved in any retaliatory measures taken by them,” stated a senior official from the administration in response to a potential Israeli response following the attack. “We do not foresee ourselves engaging in such actions.”
Israel has indicated to us that they are not seeking a major escalation with Iran at this time. However, the official emphasized that the key question is not just if Israel will take action, but what that action might entail.
