U.S President Joe Biden directed the military on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, to intervene in defense of Israel by intercepting Iranian missiles targeting the country. The White House confirmed the move as tensions escalate between Israel and Iran.
In a statement, the White House announced, “President Biden directed the U.S. military to aid Israel’s defense against Iranian attacks and shoot down missiles that are targeting Israel.” The order came as both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic nominee in next month’s presidential election, monitored the situation from the White House Situation Room.
The missile strikes from Iran follow a pattern of aggression, with previous combined missile and drone attacks launched in retaliation for Israeli military actions, including an Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus earlier this year.
A White House official confirmed that Biden postponed a previously scheduled call with rabbis ahead of Rosh Hashanah due to the ongoing crisis. The U.S. has a history of stepping in to support Israel during such attacks, including assisting in defense against similar assaults in April.
This development further complicates the already fraught relationship between Iran and Israel, heightening concerns over the security situation in the Middle East as the U.S. and other allies step up their involvement.
