The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced plans to attack the Middle East shortly after Iran launched missiles into the country on Tuesday.
Within hours of Iran launching as many as 200 ballistic missiles into Israel, the army announced their air force and air defense systems were unharmed.
"We continue to operate fully and already tonight, as at this hour, the air force will continue to attack the Middle East in a powerful manner,” an IDF official said, according to Israeli outlet News 12.
IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said most of the missiles had been successfully intercepted.
“Iran’s attack is a severe and dangerous escalation,” he said. “There will be consequences. … We will respond wherever, whenever and however we choose, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel.” “Iran’s attack is a severe and dangerous escalation. There will be consequences…We will respond wherever, whenever and however we choose, in accordance with the directive of the government of Israel.”
Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari regarding Iran’s large-scale… pic.twitter.com/A8pyC7eawI
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 1, 2024
Shortly after the attack, which left two individuals injured from shrapnel, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian released the following statement on X, which was auto-translated into English by the platform:Based on legitimate rights and with the aim of peace and security for Iran and the region, a decisive response was given to the aggression of the Zionist regime. This action was in defense of the interests and citizens of Iran. Let Netanyahu know that Iran is not a belligerent, but it stands firmly against any threat. This is only a corner of our power. Do not enter into a conflict with Iran.
Shortly after the attack, Sayyid Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran since 1989, released a statement in Hebrew.
“With God's help, the blows of the uprising front will become stronger and more painful on the worn and rotting body of the Zionist regime,” he said, according to an automatic English translation provided by X.
Iran’s attack was widely condemned by officials worldwide. This morning, @VP and I convened our national security team to discuss Iranian plans to launch an imminent missile attack against Israel.
We discussed how the United States is prepared to help Israel defend against these attacks, and protect American personnel in the region.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 1, 2024 The terror reigning down on Israel is unjustified and unacceptable. Iran has persistently spread violence in the Middle East to the detriment of all of its neighbors and its own citizens.
America stands with Israel in this battle of Good versus Evil.
— Rep. Matt Gaetz (@RepMattGaetz) October 1, 2024 Any move Iran makes against Israel, my voice and vote follows Israel to ensure they have whatever resources they need—whether that’s military, financial, or intelligence—to prevail over terror. The attacks against Israel represent a continuation—and escalation—of Iran's decades-long antagonism to one of our closest allies.
— Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) October 1, 2024
Iran seeks the complete destruction of Israel and the elimination of the Jewish people. Israel has not only a right, but a duty, to defend itself…
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) October 1, 2024 Tonight’s attacks on Israel by Iran are a stark reminder of the existential threat it faces.
We stand unequivocally by Israel’s right to defend itself including against Hezbollah in Lebanon.
— Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) October 1, 2024 🚨🇩🇪GERMANY CONDEMNS IRANIAN MISSILE ATTACK ON ISRAEL IN STRONGEST TERMS
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock strongly condemned Iran’s missile attack on Israel, urging an immediate halt.
She warned that Iran’s actions are pushing the region "to the brink of the abyss."… https://t.co/AT4MRzjJ4f pic.twitter.com/0MYOt0PU2N
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) October 1, 2024 💥🇮🇷🇪🇺EU CONDEMNS IRAN’S ATTACK AGAINST ISRAEL IN THE STRONGEST TERMS
Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell:
“The dangerous cycle of attacks and retaliation risks to spiralling out of control. An immediate ceasefire across the region is needed.
The EU remains… pic.twitter.com/CngDfsYuQd
— ビットコインبيتكوين (@BitmexXRP) October 1, 2024
“This missile attack against Israel should be the breaking point and I would urge the Biden Administration to coordinate an overwhelming response with Israel, starting with Iran’s ability to refine oil,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement Tuesday, per The Hill.
Graham, who was one of the first lawmakers to comment on the attack, referred to the Iranian regime as “religious Nazis” who want to “purify Islam and attack the United States.”
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan commended actions taken by the United States to protect and defend Israel.
"We have made clear that there will be consequences — severe consequences — for this attack, and we will work with Israel to make that the case,” he said.
MSNBC reported U.S. forces aided Israel by intercepting missiles.
“A defense official tells NBC News that, in accordance with U.S. ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, U.S. forces in the region are currently defending against Iranian-launched missiles targeting Israel,” the outlet reported on X.
In response to the attack, former President Donald Trump said the “World is on fire and spiraling out of control.”
“We have no leadership, no one running the Country,” he said in a statement. “We have a non-existent President in Joe Biden, and a completely absent Vice President, Kamala Harris, who is too busy fundraising in San Francisco, a City which she and Gavin Newscum totally destroyed, and staging fake photo ops. No one is in charge and it’s not even clear who is more confused: Biden or Kamala. Neither has any idea what is even going on.”
He added: “When I was President, Iran was in total check. They were starved for cash, fully contained, and desperate to make a deal. Kamala flooded them with American cash and, ever since, they’ve been exporting terror all over, and unraveling the Middle East.”
At the time of publication, Vice President Kamala Harris has not released an official statement on the White House website or X, although she did repost the following comment from President Joe Biden:
"This morning, @VP and I convened our national security team to discuss Iranian plans to launch an imminent missile attack against Israel. We discussed how the United States is prepared to help Israel defend against these attacks, and protect American personnel in the region," he said.
This is a developing news story. It will be updated as more information becomes available.