US 'Assisting' Israel in Shooting Down Iran Missiles Amid Attack: Source
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A U.S. defense official has confirmed to Newsweek that the United States was playing a role in supporting Israel's efforts to fend off an Iranian retaliatory strike following a series of large-scale Israeli attacks against Iran.
"Yes, the U.S. is assisting in shooting down missiles targeting Israel," the official told Newsweek.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it launched more than 200 strikes across Iran as part of "Operation Rising Lion," which began late Thursday and continued at least through Friday afternoon. The attacks targeted senior military sites, nuclear facilities as well as key personnel, including military leaders and nuclear scientists.
The operation prompted vows of retaliation from Iran, whose military announced "Operation True Promise III" targeting Israel with what was said to be hundreds of ballistic missiles.
Moments before his press conference was abruptly cut off due to warnings of impending Iranian strikes, IDF spokesperson Brigadier Effie Defrin declined to confirm whether or not Israel expected outside support, saying the country had demonstrated it "had the capability to defend itself."
Axios later cited an Israeli official saying that the U.S. was supporting Israel's defense against the Iranian attack.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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