Iran launched nearly 200 ballistic missiles towards Israel on Tuesday evening, sparking global concern. In response, US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Harris delivered a speech on October 1 strongly condemning Iran’s attack on Israel as “a reckless and shameless act.”
Harris stated, “I unequivocally condemn this attack. Iran is a destabilizing and dangerous force in the Middle East, and today their assault on Israel further proves this fact. Earlier today, I was in the crisis management room with President Biden and the national security team, monitoring this attack in real-time and ensuring the safety of American personnel in the region is paramount. I fully support President Biden’s decision to order the US military to intercept the Iranian missiles targeting Israel, just as we did in April.”
In April, Iran launched an unprecedented direct attack on Israel, but the majority of the missiles were intercepted and shot down by the US-led coalition, with only a few missiles malfunctioning or crashing during flight.
Harris noted that the White House is still assessing the impact, but initial indications suggest that Israel successfully repelled this attack with the assistance of the United States. “Our united defense policy has proven effective, and this operation and cooperation have saved many innocent lives. As I have stated before, I will always ensure that Israel has the capability to defend itself against the threats posed by Iran and Iran-backed terrorist militias. My commitment to Israel’s security is unwavering.”
She further stated, “Let’s be clear: Iran is not just a threat to Israel; Iran is also a threat to American personnel in the region, American interests, and innocent civilians persecuted by Iran and its supported terrorist proxies.”
“To defend the US military and interests, combat Iran and its supported terrorists, we will not hesitate to take any necessary actions. We will continue to collaborate with our allies and partners to counter Iran’s aggression and hold them accountable.”
Analysts believe that this attack signifies an escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran, potentially plunging the Middle East into further turmoil and even triggering a full-scale war.