(NewsNation) — Former White House national security adviser John Bolton, said he expects Israel to have a “substantial response” to Iran’s recent missile attacks.
Iran launched at least 180 missiles into Israel on Tuesday, less than a day after Israel began ground attacks on the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
“This is a demonstration for Iran itself. … They may not fear the United States. They do fear Israel. And they’re fear it more after this Israeli response,” Bolton said on NewsNation’s “Vargas Reports.”
Reporting from Haifa, NewsNation’s Robert Sherman reported hearing explosions as Israel intercepted missiles. Residents in several areas of the country were urged to take cover for a period of time before being told they could leave protected areas.
In a video message to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Iran made a big mistake — and it will pay for it. The regime in Tehran does not understand our determination to defend ourselves and to exact a price from our enemies.”
The White House said President Biden and Vice President Harris were monitoring the attack from the situation room and said the military had been ordered to assist in shooting down missiles.
“United States military actively supports the defense of Israel, and we’re still assessing the impact,” Biden said.
Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the country’s air defenses intercepted many of the incoming Iranian missiles, though some landed in central and southern Israel. Israel’s national rescue service said two people were lightly wounded by shrapnel.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Iran’s airstrike attack against Israel Tuesday “appears to have been defeated and ineffective.”
A defense official telling NewsNation reiterated America’s commitment to Israel’s security and said U.S. forces were defending Israel against missile attacks.
“Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect U.S. forces operating in the region,” they said.
NewsNation’s Tanya Noury, Robert Sherman, Joe Khalil and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
