U.S. Central Command announced that it had struck more than 80 one-way attack drones aimed at Israel.
The US military said it had destroyed dozens of drones and at least six ballistic missiles aimed at Israel from Iran and Yemen.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Monday that the US military had struck more than 80 unidirectional attack drones, including seven unmanned aircraft that targeted ground targets before launching. .
“Iran's unprecedented, malign and reckless actions continue, endangering regional stability and the security of U.S. and coalition forces,” CENTCOM said in a post to X.
“CENTCOM remains committed to supporting Israel's defense against these dangerous actions by Iran. We will continue to work with all regional partners to strengthen regional security.”
Centcom made the announcement after Iran launched its first-ever attack on Israeli territory late Saturday in retaliation for an alleged Israeli attack on its embassy in Syria.
The attack, which involved more than 300 drones and missiles, caused only minor damage as most were shot down by Israel's Iron Dome missile defense system or by the United States and its partners.
Latest information on Israeli defense activities
On April 13 and the morning of April 14, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, supported by U.S. European destroyers, engaged more than 80 One-Way Attack Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (OWA UAVs) and at least six UAVs. succeeded in destroying it. pic.twitter.com/QYyk01o1Vs
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 14, 2024
US President Joe Biden earlier praised the “extraordinary skill” of the US military in helping Israel shoot down “nearly every drone and missile that came our way.”
Biden described U.S. support for Israel's self-defense as “ironclad,” but warned that the U.S. would not participate in any retaliatory action taken against Tehran by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the U.S. military “remains poised to protect U.S. forces and partners in the region, provide further support to the defense of Israel, and strengthen regional stability.”
The threat of all-out war between Israel and Iran has put the region on edge, prompting calls for restraint from neighbors and major powers in the Middle East.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned on Sunday that the Middle East is on “the brink.”
“The peoples of the region face a real risk of a catastrophic all-out conflict. Now is the time for calm and de-escalation,” Guterres said at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council convened in the wake of the Iranian attack. He spoke at