Iran launched 180 ballistic missiles at Israel Tuesday in what is perceived to be retaliation for the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The attack comes as Israeli forces crossed into Lebanon in an effort to destroy Hezbollah’s capabilities.
Previously, Iran had threatened to attack Israel if it launched attacks against its proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The missiles were intercepted by Israel’s Arrow and Iron Dome missile defense systems.
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard said 90 percent of its missiles hit their targets.
Israel denied Iran’s claims, saying only two people were injured by shrapnel.
The one fatality was a Palestinian man from Gaza who was staying in Jericho when he was hit by shrapnel.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and reiterated America’s ironclad commitment to Israel’s defense.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder said Iran launched almost twice as many ballistic missiles on Tuesday than it did in its previous attack in April.
The Pentagon said that two U.S. Navy destroyers fired approximately a dozen interceptors against Iranian missiles aimed at Israel.
U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller called Iran’s attack against Israel “brazen and unacceptable.”
“Every nation in the world must join us in condemning it,” Miller said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian hailed Tehran’s missile attack against Israel as a “decisive response” to what he called Israeli “aggression.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said Israel will respond to the attack at a time of its choosing.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said there will be “severe consequences” for this attack “and we will work with Israel to make that case” he said during a press briefing at the White House.
The European Union condemned the attack and called for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack “in the strongest terms” and in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed the UK’s “steadfast commitment to Israeli security and the protection of civilians.”