When Iran launched its aerial attack on Israel on April 13, it was, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, “unprecedented in its scope and in its scale:”
“In its scope, because it represented the first direct attack by Iran on Israel; and in its scale because…there were more than 300 munitions fired, including ballistic missiles as well as land attack cruise missiles and drones. Thanks to Israeli air defenses as well as support from other countries, including U.S. military assets, virtually all of the incoming projectiles were destroyed and shot down.”
What the weekend demonstrated, said Secretary Blinken, “is that Israel did not have to and does not have to defend itself alone when it is the victim of an aggression.”
National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby also underscored that the response showed that “unlike Iran, which is increasingly isolated on the world stage, Israel has friends.”
“Israel has great skill, great professionalism, great military capability, and that’s not by accident. All of that comes from the support they get, particularly from the United States, but other countries as well.”
Advisor Kirby noted that the attack on Israel was a “spectacular and embarrassing failure” for Iran.
“Given the scale of this attack, Iran’s intent was clearly to cause significant destruction and casualties. . .It didn’t work. This attack was defeated thanks to our preparations, to a coalition of committed partners, and to Israel’s remarkable defensive systems. . . .Israel today is in a far stronger strategic position than it was only a few days ago. Iran’s vaunted missile program, something it has used to threaten Israel and the region, proved to be far less effective.”
Advisor Kirby noted that “much of the world today is standing with Israel,” and he pointed to the condemnation of “Iran’s direct and unprecedented attack against Israel” from the leaders of the G7 countries. U.S. teams, he said, are now following up with G7 capitals on new multi-lateral sanctions to target Iran’s missile and other nefarious programs.
“So that’s the upshot here,” declared Advisor Kirby. “A stronger Israel. A weaker Iran. A more unified alliance of partners. That was not Iran’s intent when it launched this attack on Saturday night, not even close. And again, they failed. They failed utterly.”
A Victory for Israel, A Humiliation for Iran
- Policy Office
Iran's April 13, attack on Israel was "unprecedented in its scope and in its scale," said Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
