Pinned
WASHINGTON—President Joe Biden and his team are scrambling to ease tensions and prevent further escalation of the conflict in the Middle East following Iran’s unprecedented assault on Israeli territory over the weekend.
Iran on April 13 launched hundreds of air threats toward Israel, saying it was revenge for what Iran claims was an Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria in early April. The attack marks the first time that Tehran has launched a direct military assault on Israel.
Israel, with the support of the United States, the UK, France, and other partners, successfully intercepted 99 percent of the projectiles fired by Iran. There has been almost no damage to Israel’s infrastructure, as confirmed by both U.S. and Israeli officials.
Iran on Sunday warned Israel and the United States that it would carry out a larger attack if either country retaliates against Tehran’s overnight missile and drone attack, saying that U.S. military bases could be in its crosshairs.
Iran launched explosive drones and shot missiles at Israel late on Saturday in what has been described as its first direct attack on Israel. The Islamic regime has said that the attack was warranted after Israel’s bombing a Syrian compound in early April that left seven members of its Revolutionary Guard Corps dead.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the House will “try again” to pass a funding package for Israel this week following Iran’s attack on the Middle Eastern nation.
During an appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures,” the speaker was asked if the attack, which Iran said was in retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic building in Syria, would change the House’s plans for funding Israel.
“We’ve understood the urgency of this from the very beginning,” Mr. Johnson said, noting that only days after he became speaker, the House passed a $14 billion aid package for Israel that would have been paid for by slashing the budget of the IRS.
Former President Donald Trump attributed Iran’s recent decision to attack Israel to weakness shown by the Biden administration, and vowed to revive American strength abroad once he is reelected to the White House.
“But we will return the world to peace through strength and it will happen very quickly. We will revive American strength abroad, and we will restore American strength at home. We were respected four years ago all over the world. Today, we are considered a joke. It’s not going to be for long, believe me. It’s not going to be for long.”
Iran on Saturday afternoon launched dozens of drones from its own territory toward Israel, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has confirmed.
“A short while ago, Iran launched unmanned aerial vehicles from its territory towards the territory of the State of Israel,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
“The air defense array is on high alert at the same time as the Air Force planes and Navy ships that are on a mission to protect the country’s skies,” it added. “The IDF is monitoring all targets.”