US President Joe Biden ordered American forces to intercept and shoot down the missiles launched from Tehran.
The White House issued the statement shortly after Iran fired more than 200 ballistic missiles at key Israeli locations, including Tel Aviv, as tensions in the Middle East continued to rise.
The White House confirmed that both President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were monitoring the situation from the Situation Room. “We are committed to defending our allies, and any attack on Israel will not go unanswered,” the statement said.
This is not the first time the U.S. military has played an active role in countering missile threats in the region. During Iran’s previous strike on Israel in April, American forces were instrumental in intercepting incoming missiles, demonstrating Washington's support for Israel's defense efforts.
The U.S. has increased its military presence across the region in recent months, positioning troops and equipment to respond quickly to any escalations. The Pentagon has been closely monitoring Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria, which have previously targeted U.S. military bases in the region.
American troops not targeted
The Washington Post, citing three anonymous Pentagon officials, reported that American troops stationed in the Middle East were not targeted during the latest Iranian missile strikes. This comes after numerous incidents in recent years where Iraqi groups linked to Iran fired rockets at military bases housing U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Syria.
The latest escalation comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, following the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, an Iranian ally, earlier this month. As the region braces for further developments, the U.S. has reit
