American forces downed over 1 / 4 of the missiles and drones certain for Israel from Iran on Saturday night, U.S. Central Command stated Sunday.
American and European-allied destroyers shot down 80 Iranian assault drones and at the very least six ballistic missiles launched from Iran and Yemen certain for Israel. It’s estimated that about 350 missiles and drones have been launched at Israel within the large-scale assault.
“Iran’s continued unprecedented, malign, and reckless conduct endangers regional stability and the security of U.S. and coalition forces,” CENTCOM stated in a statement. “CENTCOM stays postured to help Israel’s protection in opposition to these harmful actions by Iran. We’ll proceed to work with all our regional companions to extend regional safety.”
Almost the entire drones and missiles have been intercepted earlier than reaching their targets in Israel, with the Israeli authorities reporting no deaths and solely minimal harm from the assault. It got here in response to an Israeli strike on Iranian army leaders in a diplomatic constructing in Syria earlier this month.
The strike has raised fears over a wider regional battle between Israel and Iran, as some Israeli leaders name for retaliation whereas others pledge themselves in opposition to conflict. President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to induce him in opposition to escalation within the battle.
“This was a really aggressive and brutal assault, which appears like a declaration of conflict,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog stated in a CNN interview Sunday. “However I additionally added instantly to say that we’re not searching for conflict. We’re searching for at all times peace.”
Arab governments within the area have additionally referred to as for de-escalation, as has the United Nations.
“Now could be the time for optimum restraint,” U.N. Secretary-Normal António Guterres stated in an emergency U.N. assembly held on the request of the Israeli delegation on Sunday.
“The individuals of the area are confronting an actual hazard of a devastating full-scale battle. Now could be the time to defuse and de-escalate,” Guterres stated. “It’s time to step again from the brink. It is important to keep away from any motion that would result in main army confrontations on a number of fronts within the Center East.”
