Update 2:25: President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly met today in the White House situation room and directed the U.S. military to shoot down Iranian missiles.
WH Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre posted on Twitter: "@POTUS and @VP convened two meetings with their national security team in the WH Situation Room today and are receiving regular updates. The President directed the US military to aid Israel’s defense against Iranian attacks & shoot down missiles targeting Israel. They also reviewed preparations to protect U.S. personnel in the region."
.@POTUS and @VP convened two meetings with their national security team in the WH Situation Room today and are receiving regular updates. The President directed the US military to aid Israel’s defense against Iranian attacks & shoot down missiles targeting Israel. They also…
— Karine Jean-Pierre (@PressSec) October 1, 2024
Fox News Reports that Harris "has departed the White House."
Make of that what you will.
Original story:
The IDF announced that Iran launched missiles into Israel "a short while ago." Israelis were told to head to bomb shelters immediately.
All Israeli civilians are in bomb shelters as rockets from Iran are fired at Israel. pic.twitter.com/bKXPdqMsBr
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 1, 2024
According to the IDF, "Approx. 10 million civilians are the targets of Iranian projectiles."
I don’t think you can understand what’s happening right now. Literally booms over our heads every four seconds. Sirens non stop. Every single city is under attack. Literally. It’s raining ballistic missiles now! pic.twitter.com/NAtTmrMQEC
— Hillel Fuld (@HilzFuld) October 1, 2024
A spokesman for the IDF said that Israel's air defense system is "fully operational, detecting and intercepting threats wherever necessary."
There are reports that this may only be the first wave of the Iranian attack.
The attack comes after Iran vowed to seek revenge for the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut on Saturday. Iran said the death of Nasrallah "will not go unanswered" and followed through with that promise in this major escalation of tensions in the region.
On Monday, Israel moved into Lebanon to conduct what was described as “limited, localized, and targeted ground raids” against the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.
In a speech to the UN, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran, “If you strike us, we will strike you. There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach."
Earlier today, White House officials said it had “indications that Iran is preparing to imminently launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel,” adding that the United States was “actively supporting defensive preparations to defend Israel against this attack.”
“A direct military attack from Iran against Israel will carry severe consequences for Iran,” a senior White House official warned.
Whoever runs Joe Biden's X account posted: "This morning, @VP and I convened our national security team to discuss Iranian plans to launch an imminent missile attack against Israel. We discussed how the United States is prepared to help Israel defend against these attacks, and protect American personnel in the region."
The missiles hitting Israel right now are the same ones Biden and Harris worked to lift UN sanctions on the first month he took office.
— Gabriel Noronha (@GLNoronha) October 1, 2024
They said it would help promote diplomacy with Iran.pic.twitter.com/N8bC0laztU
Former President Trump warned Iran earlier today: “They should not do it. It would be a big mistake if they do," he said. "They have no respect for the (Biden-Harris) administration. This would have never happened if I was president. Zero chance.”
This is a developing story.
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