US forces intercepted more than 80 attack drones and at least 6 ballistic missiles from Iran and Yemen, says Central Command

U.S. Central Command announced Sunday night that U.S. forces have shot down more than a quarter of the missiles and drones aimed at Israel from Iran.

US and European Union destroyers shot down 80 Iranian attack drones and at least six ballistic missiles launched from Iran and Yemen towards Israel. It is estimated that approximately 350 missiles and drones were fired at Israel in this large-scale attack.

“Iran’s unprecedented, malign and reckless actions continue, endangering regional stability and the security of U.S. and coalition forces,” Centcom said in a statement. statement. “CENTCOM remains committed to supporting Israel’s defense against these dangerous actions by Iran. We will continue to work with all regional partners to strengthen regional security.”

Almost all of the drones and missiles were intercepted before reaching their targets inside Israel, and the Israeli government reported no casualties and minimal damage from the attacks. This was in retaliation for Israel’s attack on Iranian military leaders at a diplomatic compound in Syria earlier this month.

The attack has raised fears of a broader regional conflict between Israel and Iran, with some Israeli leaders calling for retaliation and others vowing no war. President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday and urged him to oppose escalation of the conflict.

“This was a very aggressive and brutal attack that was like a declaration of war,” Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a CNN interview on Sunday. “But I was quick to add that we also don’t want war. We always want peace.”

Arab governments in the region have also called for de-escalation, as has the United Nations.

“Now is the time for maximum restraint,” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres told an emergency U.N. conference held at the request of the Israeli delegation on Sunday.

“The people of the region face a real risk of a devastating all-out conflict. Now is the time to calm the situation and de-escalate tensions,” Guterres said. “The time has come to pull back from the brink. It is critical that we avoid actions that could lead to large-scale military conflict on multiple fronts in the Middle East.”