Washington:
Iran’s ballistic missile attack on Israel was “defeated and ineffective,” the White House said on Tuesday, warning that Tehran could expect serious consequences from the strikes.
“Based on what we know at this time, this attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective,” Jake Sullivan, US President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, told reporters.
Sullivan praised U.S. efforts to repel some of the attacks, with U.S. Navy destroyers shooting down some of the missiles.
However, Iran’s attack was a “significant escalation” of tensions in the Middle East, Sullivan said – adding that it was an “ongoing situation” which meant he could only answer a few questions before returning to his desk went.
“Clearly this is a significant escalation by Iran, a significant event, and it is equally important that we were able to move forward with Israel,” Sullivan told the briefing.
The White House official would not say what consequences Tehran could expect, but said it would discuss “next steps” with Israel.
“We have made it clear that there will be consequences, serious consequences, for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make that happen,” Sullivan said.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said separately that the Iranian missile attack was “unacceptable” and that the entire world should condemn it.
“Initial reports suggest that Israel, with the active support of the United States and other partners, effectively defeated this attack,” Blinken told reporters.
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