On Tuesday, President Joe Biden instructed the U.S. military to assist in Israel’s defense and intercept Iranian missiles aimed at the country, amid a notable escalation in the Middle East conflict.
The White House reported that Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were closely monitoring the situation from the situation room.
“President Biden directed the U.S. military to aid Israel’s defence against Iranian attacks and shoot down missiles that are targeting Israel,” the White House said in a statement.
The crisis escalated on Tuesday when the Israeli military and Iranian state media confirmed missile launches from Iran toward Israel, marking a significant increase in hostilities.
The missiles targeted Israel’s major cities, including Tel Aviv, in retaliation for the deaths of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
Nasrallah was killed during Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon, while Haniyeh died in a bombing in Tehran, which has been widely attributed to Israel.
Air raid sirens blared across Israel, and explosions were heard in Jerusalem as the country’s air defence systems scrambled to intercept the missiles.
Israeli airspace was quickly closed, and neighbouring Iraq and Jordan followed suit, shutting down their airspaces as the missile threats mounted.
The conflict has already seen earlier strikes, including Israeli ground raids in southern Lebanon, which targeted Iranian-backed militants.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant previously discussed the growing Iranian threat with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, leading to the deployment of additional U.S. troops to the region.
International leaders, including Russia and China, have called for de-escalation, with the United Nations raising alarms over the growing humanitarian crisis.
The conflict has displaced thousands and resulted in numerous casualties, with continued airstrikes in Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria exacerbating the situation. Despite global calls for calm, the violence continues to spiral, prompting concerns of broader regional destabilization.