Washington, DC: Amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, US military said on Monday that they have destroyed more than 80 drones and at least six ballistic missiles aimed at Israel from Iran and Yemen, Al Jazeera reported.
In an official post on X, US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated on Monday, “On April 13 and the morning of April 14, US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, supported by US European Command destroyers, successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen.”
“Iran’s continued unprecedented, malign, and reckless behaviour endangers regional stability and the safety of US and coalition forces,” CENTCOM said in a post on X
“CENTCOM remains postured to support Israel’s defense against these dangerous actions by Iran. We will continue to work with all our regional partners to increase regional security.”
CENTCOM made the announcement after Iran came out in defence of its retaliatory attack on Israel on Saturday in response to an attack on its consulate in Syria.
According to Al Jazeera, the attack involving more than 300 drones and missiles caused only modest damage, as most were shot down by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system or the US and its partners.
US President Joe Biden earlier praised US forces for their “extraordinary skill” in helping Israel take down “nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.”
Biden described US support for Israel’s self-defence as “ironclad” but warned that Washington would not join any retaliatory action taken by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government against Tehran, as per Al Jazeera.