President Joe Biden has praised American forces who he said “helped Israel take down nearly all” drones and missiles launched by Iran on April 13.
In a statement, he said the US had moved aircraft and warships to the region before the unprecedented attack.
“I condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms,” the president added.
Israel said Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles in its direction, the first time it has attacked Israel directly from its own territory.
It said the “vast majority” were intercepted, but there were a small number of hits including at an IDF base in southern Israel. At least one person, reported to be a young girl, was injured.
Iran earlier warned that Israel would be “punished” for a strike on its consulate in Syria on April 1, which killed seven Iranian officers including a top commander. Israel has not confirmed or denied whether it was responsible.
“I’ve just spoken with Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu to reaffirm America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel,” President Biden said shortly after the pair held a call.
“I told him that Israel demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks,” he added.
Image source: President Biden/X
Joe Biden also said he plans to convene G7 leaders on April 14 “to co-ordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack”.
He warned Iran against attacking any US assets, adding while Iran has not done so, America “remains vigilant to all threats”.
Joe Biden cut short a planned visit to his home state of Delaware on April 13, travelling back to the White House to be briefed by national security officials hours before the attack.
White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said President Biden was “in constant communication with Israeli officials, as well as other partners and allies”.
Republicans in the House of Representatives, meanwhile, said they were drafting legislation to provide more aid to Israel and sanction Iran.
Iran’s delegation at the UN said Tehran earlier said “the matter can be deemed concluded” but warned it would strike again if there were reprisals by Israel or the US.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard also said in a statement that “support or participation in attacking Iran’s interests will have a fierce response”.
Other nations, including the UK, France and Canada, have also condemned Iran and expressed support for Israel.
