'Significant escalation': Biden's office reacts to Iran's strike on Israel
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The White House has called Iran's massive strike on Israel a significant escalation. The US assisted Israel in repelling the attack, according to a statement by White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan during a briefing.
He said that US armed forces collaborated with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) after Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles. US Navy destroyers joined Israeli air defense units to shoot down the Iranian missiles.
Sullivan said that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris observed the attack and the response from the White House Situation Room, where they were joined by the national security team.
The White House advisor added that there is currently no information about casualties in Israel, nor have there been any reports of damage to aircraft or strategic military assets.
"Based on what we know at this point, this attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective. This was first and foremost the result of the professionalism of the IDF, but in no small part because of the skilled work of the US military and meticulous joint planning in anticipation of the attack," Sullivan said.
He emphasized that the US will consult with Israel on the next steps and responses.
"Obviously, this is a significant escalation by Iran, a significant event, and it is equally significant that we were able to step up with — with Israel and create a situation in which no one was killed in this attack in Israel so far as we know at this time. We are now going to look at what the appropriate next steps are to secure, first and foremost, American interests and then to promote stability to the maximum extent possible as we go forward," the White House advisor said.
Iran’s attack
Yesterday, October 1, Iran carried out its second massive attack on Israel this year, launching around 180 ballistic missiles. Israeli air defense forces, together with US military personnel, repelled the attack.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran claimed the attack was in response to the killing of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders. Israel, in turn, emphasized that the strike "will have consequences" for Iran.
For more details on Iran's attack, its aftermath, and global reactions, see RBC-Ukraine’s coverage.
