President Joe Biden Ordered the U.S. military on Tuesday to assist in defending Israel by intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at the country, the White House announced.
Both President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are closely monitoring the situation from the White House Situation Room as tensions escalate between Iran and Israel, ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
“The president has directed the U.S. military to support Israel’s defense efforts and intercept any missiles targeting the country,” a White House statement read.
Due to the unfolding events, a call that Biden had planned with rabbis ahead of the Jewish high holiday of Rosh Hashanah has been rescheduled, according to a White House official.
This isn’t the first time the U.S. has come to Israel’s aid. In April, the U.S. and its Western allies helped Israel fend off an Iranian missile and drone attack, launched in retaliation for an Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate in Damascus.