The U.S. helped its ally Israel repel a significant missile and drone assault by Iran, assisting with intercepting hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles.
The attack from Iran and its allies on Israel appeared to cause little damage, and Israeli forces said most of the projectiles had been successfully thwarted.
President Biden and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke following “Iran’s brazen attack” that targeted Israel on Saturday. The president said he reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel and condemned Iran’s missile and drone attacks during the call.
Several lawmakers and officials reacted to the Iranian attack, and there have been bipartisan calls for aid to Israel.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said that Israel is facing a “vicious” attack and the U.S. “must stand with its ally. Both Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY.), in separate statements, pushed for the House to take up the Senate-passed foreign aid package.
US helps Israel thwart Iran assault; World awaits Israeli response
Lawmakers react to Iran’s drone attack on Israel
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US forces intercepted more than 80 attack drones and at least 6 ballistic missiles from Iran and Yemen, says Central Command
American forces downed over a quarter of the missiles and drones bound for Israel from Iran on Saturday evening, U.S. Central Command said Sunday.
American and European-allied destroyers shot down 80 Iranian attack drones and at least six ballistic missiles launched from Iran and Yemen bound for Israel. It is estimated that about 350 missiles and drones were launched at Israel in the large-scale attack.
Biden calls Congressional leaders, urges them to pass aid to allies
President Biden held a phone call with the top four congressional leaders on Sunday and stressed the “urgent need” for the House to pass the national security supplemental, as Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) faces mounting pressure to bring the Senate-passed foreign aid package to the floor for a vote.
The White House released a statement saying Biden, Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) convened “to discuss Iran’s unprecedented attack against Israel” on Sunday afternoon.
Iran ‘will be held responsible’ for any further actions against the US or Israel, says deputy ambassador
U.S. Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood on Sunday strongly condemned the Iranian attack on Israel and warned that Iran will be held responsible for any further actions taken against the United States, Israel or their allies.
“Let me be clear – if Iran or its proxies take actions against the United States or further action against Israel, Iran will be held responsible,” Wood said, in his remarks at a UN Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East.
Arab nations express need for restraint following Iran attack on Israel
Governments across the Arab world called for de-escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran on Sunday, after Iran launched a large-scale missile barrage on Israel Saturday evening.
Iran fired about 350 rockets towards Israel, raising concerns over a regional war after Israel attacked Iranian military leaders in Syria earlier this month. Nearly all the rockets were intercepted in a joint effort between Israel, Jordan and the U.S., however, with minimal damage inside Israel.
‘Now is the time for maximum restraint,’ says UN Secretary-General Guterres
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said Israel and Iran should attempt to de-escalate violence after dueling missile strikes in recent days.
Iran fired about 350 rockets towards Israel on Saturday evening, raising concerns over a regional war after Israel attacked Iranian military leaders in Syria last week.
Herzog: Israel not ‘seeking war’ with Iran but attack ‘has to be met accordingly’
Israeli President Isaac Herzog said Sunday that Israel is not “seeking war” with Iran after the country launched an attack of more than 300 rockets on Saturday evening, but that the barrage “has to be met accordingly,” vowing a response.
Iran and its proxies in Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen launched about 350 rockets, including more than 100 ballistic missiles, toward Israel on Saturday in response to an Israeli strike on Iranian military leaders at a diplomatic complex in Syria last week.
US learned Iran strike on Israel was complete via Swiss channels
The United States learned that the Iranian strike on Israel was completed through Swiss channels, a senior administration official said Sunday.
A senior administration official told reporters in a briefing on Sunday that the U.S. had a “series of direct communications through the Swiss channel” with Iran leading up to the attack. The official said Iran communicated through the Swiss channel that its strike on Israel was complete as the attacks were ongoing.
More Americans want Biden to encourage Israel to cease military action in Gaza: poll
A growing number of Americans want President Biden to encourage Israel to cease its military action in Gaza, according to a new poll.
A new CBS News poll found that 37 percent of Americans want Biden to encourage Israel to stop its military actions in Gaza — slightly up from the 31 percent who said the same in February. Another 23 percent said in the new poll that Biden should encourage Israel to decrease its military actions in Gaza.
IDF says Iran fired 350 missiles towards Israel
A spokesperson for the Israeli military said Sunday that Iran fired a total of 350 rockets towards Israel on Saturday between its own forces and allied militant groups in Iraq, Yemen and Lebanon.
“Iran wants to escalate the region. Up until now it worked through its proxies, but now it revealed its real face,” spokesperson Adm. Daniel Hagari said in a video statement.
White House spokesman John Kirby previously said that the attack consisted of about 300 rockets, including over 100 ballistic missiles.
Hagari added that the rockets, which included munitions fired by Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon, carried about 60 tons of explosives.
The military previously said that about 99 percent of the rockets were shot down before reaching their targets, with only a few of the munitions damaging Israeli military positions in the southern parts of the country.
– Nick Robertson
US disputes Iran intended to give forewarning on attacking Israel
The United States rebuked claims Sunday that Iran gave other countries in the region a warning that it would be launching a significant aerial attack against the country on Saturday.
Iran did not warn other countries in the region that it would be attacking Israel on Saturday, a senior administration official said in a briefing to reporters Sunday. When asked to confirm claims that Iran gave a 72-hour warning about its attack, the official said that was “absolutely not true.”
G7 leaders say Iran attack on Israel risks ‘uncontrollable regional escalation’
The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) warned Sunday that the Iranian attack on Israel risks an “uncontrollable regional escalation.”
“With its actions, Iran has further stepped toward the destabilization of the region and risks provoking an uncontrollable regional escalation. This must be avoided. We will continue to work to stabilize the situation and avoid further escalation. In this spirit, we demand that Iran and its proxies cease their attacks, and we stand ready to take further measures now and in response to further destabilizing initiatives,” the G7 leaders said in a statement.
Petraeus says Iran attack is a ‘very big deal’
Former CIA Director David Petraeus called the Iranian attack on Israel a “very big deal,” in an interview Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“Well, it is significant. It’s a very big deal. And I think Israel will have to take some action in response,” Petraeus said.
“I think it’s very clear that the U.S. would like to see that be as limited as is possible. Keep in mind that the real issue here, in addition to Israel’s security, of course, which is first and foremost, but it’s also about freedom of navigation from the Gulf or the oil and gas that come from the Gulf and fuel much of the global economy,” he continued.
Missouri Republican says Iran drone strike on Israel is ‘direct result’ of Biden’s policies
Republican Rep. Jason Smith (Mo.) said Iran’s attack against Israel is a “direct result” of “Biden’s policies and rhetoric over the last several years as president.”
During an appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” he said that they “gave Iran the opportunity that they felt like it could go in and attack one of our greatest allies, Israel.
“Smith said former President Trump “imposed the strict standards of the sanctions on the Iranians.”
“But, unfortunately, the Biden administration has reversed course on that, and they have been very lax on those sanctions, allowing the Iranians to grow in more power, more economic growth… now they’re attacking their neighbors,” he said.
—Rachel Scully
Rand Paul on Iran attack on Israel: ‘I think people ought to take a breath’
Ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security Committee Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said he believes “people ought to take a breath” following Iran’s drone attack on Israel over the weekend.
“Every action has a reaction. And is there a possibility that this could be de-escalated at this point? And I think people ought to take a breath, wait a little bit,” Paul said during an appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“In medicine, we’re taught to check your own pulse before you check the patient’s pulse,” Paul, who is also a working physician, added. “You need to calm down and think with a clear head before we move forward.”
—Rachel Scully
Fetterman on Iranian strikes: ‘It really demonstrates how it’s astonishing we are not standing firmly with Israel’
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said that Iran’s aerial assault on Israel shows how the U.S. is “not standing firmly with Israel.”
Fetterman reiterated on Sunday’s “State of the Union” on CNN that there should not be conditions on sending additional aid to Israel and called again for the U.S. to stand with its ally in the wake of Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel over the weekend.
“Well, a couple of things, actually. I think it really demonstrates how it’s astonishing that we are not standing firmly with Israel. And there should never be any kinds of conditions on all that. When a nation can launch hundreds of drones towards Israel — I’m not going to be talking about conditions ever,” he said.
Former CENTCOM commander says US forces are ‘vulnerable’ to an Iranian attack
Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, the former commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), warned Sunday that U.S. forces are “vulnerable” to an attack by Iran or one of its proxies.
“Our forces distributed across Iraq and Syria, supporting the dark forces of Iraq and anti-ISIS operations and supporting our SDF partners in eastern Syria. Those forces are vulnerable to an Iranian or an Iranian proxy attack. We recognize that. I think that’s why the President’s been very forceful in warning them,” he said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
U.S. ‘should proudly join’ Israel if they go after Iran’s nuclear program
Former national security adviser John Bolton on Sunday called on the United States to join Israel if they choose to go after Iran’s nuclear program in response to Tehran’s attack.
Speaking on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday,” Bolton criticized Iran’s failed missile and drone strikes over the weekend, arguing Israel’s interception of the attack makes the regime “look weak.”
Kirby says Netanyahu is ‘well aware’ Biden does not want to escalate the war
John Kirby, White House national security communications adviser, said Sunday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “well aware” President Biden does not want to escalate the war.
“I would say that the Prime Minister is well aware that the President is not looking for a conflict with Iran, that the President doesn’t want the tensions to escalate anymore, and that the President is doing everything and has since the seventh of October, to try to keep this from becoming a broader regional war,” Kirby said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
McCaul say US Embassy in Israel is ‘in good shape right now’
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) said the U.S. Embassy in Israel is “in good shape right now” following Iran’s drone attack.
He noted during his appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that “99 percent of these rockets and drones were shot down.”
“Pretty impressive display of force, showing a force in collaboration with the United States, Jordan, and other allies,” he added. “And it also showed us Iran’s not 10 feet tall.”
—Rachel Scully
Kirby says US will speak with Israeli officials ‘hopefully this week’ about plans to go into southern Gaza
White House national security communications adviser John Kirby said Sunday that U.S. officials will speak with Israeli counterparts “hopefully this week” about Israel’s plans to go into southern Gaza.
Kirby said Sunday on CBS’s “Face the Nation” that there will be a conversation with Israeli officials over the next few days about Israel’s plans to go into Rafah — a move that the Biden administration has cautioned Israel against taking. CBS’s Margaret Brennan asked Kirby if he had any further details of a meeting on the issue on Sunday.
Rep. Garamendi says ‘ball is clearly in Israel’s court’ for response to Iran
Rep. John Garamendi (D-Calif.) on Sunday argued any action Israel chooses to take in retaliation for Iran’s attack will ultimately be up to the country rather than the United States.
Asked on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” over how President Biden will both constrain Iran’s escalation of the conflict and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, Garamendi said, “Do it exactly as he’s doing it now. Be very, very clear about what is expected and not expected.”
Kirby says Netanyahu was ‘very grateful’ for Biden’s support of Israel in phone call
John Kirby, White House national security communications adviser, said Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was “very grateful” for the support of the United States in a phone call with President Biden.
“The prime minister was very grateful for the support that President Biden offered and demonstrated in supporting Israel. And the president made it clear that the self-defense of Israel is something we take seriously, and we will continue to take that seriously,” Kirby said on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Jake Tapper.
Rep. Bacon says there will be ‘bigger risk’ of wider Middle East conflict if U.S. responds ‘weakly’
Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) on Sunday warned a wider conflict could unfold in the Middle East if the United States chooses to respond “weakly” to Iran’s latest missile attack against Israel.
Asked on NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday” if there is a risk of a wider conflagration should Israel retaliate against Iran, Bacon said, “Well, there is a risk. But I think there’s a bigger risk if you respond weakly or if Israel responses weakly.”
Vance said there is a ‘real fear of escalation’ amid Iran strikes on Israel
Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) cautioned Sunday that there is a “real fear of escalation” amid Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel over the weekend.
Vance said that he agreed with Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) on Sunday, who also appeared on CNN’s “State of the Union” and suggested that there could be further escalation amid the Iranian attack on Israel.
“Well, I certainly think there is a real fear of escalation. Senator [Chris] Coons is right about that. Part of the reason why we have a fear of escalation, Jake, is because our deterrence is so weak. And why is it so weak because the world sees the United States that’s stretched so thin,” he said on “State of the Union.”
Kennedy on support of Israel: ‘If we turn the other cheek to them, we’re going to get it in the neck’
Republican Sen. John Kennedy (La.) on Sunday pushed for the U.S. to give its full support to Israel against Iran, arguing Tehran’s weekend missile attack underscores the threat the country poses to the Middle East.
“We need to stand with Israel. It’s very clear. We’re not at war with Hamas, or Hezbollah or Yemen. Those are all surrogates for Iran. Those are… they’re prostitutes, the pimp is Iran. Israel is at war with Iran. Iran hates Americans. Iran hates Jews, Iran wants to kill Americans and Jews. And if we turn the other cheek to them, we’re going to get it in the neck,” Kennedy said during an interview on “Fox News Sunday.”
Turner says Kirby is wrong for saying US doesn’t want an escalating conflict: ‘It is already escalating’
Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) said that White House national security communications adviser John Kirby was wrong in saying that the U.S. does not want to escalate conflict in the region following Iran’s attack on Israel.
“Even though these attacks are unprecedented, coming directly from Iran, Israel has been under attack — under attack by Iran for decades. They fund and train Hezbollah. They funded and trained Hamas,” he told host Kristen Welker on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“So this has already been an ongoing conflict where Israel understands that they have been under siege and under attack by Iran,” he added. “It’s the first time that they have attacked directly from Iran…certainly this is an escalation. I think John Kirby is wrong to be able to say we don’t want an escalating conflict. It is already escalating and the administration needs to respond.”
—Rachel Scully
Coons calls for Johnson to put forward supplemental aid deal ‘tomorrow’
Delaware Senator Chris Coons (D) called for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to put the supplemental aid deal on the floor tomorrow and “promptly send it to President Biden.”
During an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Coons emphasized that Johnson must take action, saying it will “send a strong signal by funding Israel, humanitarian support, Ukraine, Taiwan, making it clear that, after months of dithering, the House will act.”
“I think Israel should do is pause for the moment, consult with its close allies and partners, assess the damage and the activity, and then decide, what is the most appropriate response,” he added. “President Biden has forcefully engaged in this region ever since October 7 to try and avoid escalation to a regional war.”
—Rachel Scully
Rubio says Iran wants to make Israel ‘an impossible place to live’
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said Sunday Iran wants to make Israel “an impossible place to live” amid its aerial attacks on the U.S. ally over the weekend.
“Well, Iran’s goal has always been the same and that is to make Israel in unlivable place. Iran does not believe that it can —Iran knows it cannot beat Israel militarily. But what it does aspire to do is make Israel an impossible place to live in and a place no one wants to visit,” Rubio told Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
Kirby says Iran attack on Israel ‘truly was unprecedented’
John Kirby, White House national security communications adviser, said Iran’s attack on Israel was “unprecedented” during an interview on CNN’s State of the Union.
“It truly was unprecedented…The size and scale and scope, just not seen this before'” he said. “We had been watching as closely as we could. Can I tell you that we anticipated every single drone and every single missile? Probably not, but we certainly had a good sense of what Iran was planning to do. More critically, the Israelis did as well.”
He added that Israel’s response “was an incredible success.”
—Rachel Scully
Bolton labels Iranian strikes as ‘massive failure of Israeli and American deterrence’
Former national security adviser John Bolton said the Iranian strikes over the weekend represented a “massive failure” of deterrence from Israel and the United States.
“What we had tonight was a massive failure of Israeli and American deterrence. Massive failure, a 200 ballistic missile, cruise missile, drone failure. And I think notwithstanding that there appears to be very little damage, fingers crossed, until we get the final assessment. Thank God if the death toll is is low or non existent,” Bolton told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer on Saturday night.