US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, said on Tuesday that Iran is a “dangerous” and “destabilizing” force in the Middle East and that Washington is committed to Israel's security.
Why it's important
The comments from Harris, who is facing Republican former President Donald Trump in the November 5 US elections, came hours after Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel's military campaign in Lebanon, marking a sharp exchange of tension between Israel and the US. promised response.
No injuries were reported in Israel and Washington called Iran's attack ineffective.
Key quotes
“I am clear, Iran is a destabilizing, dangerous force in the Middle East,” Harris said. “I will always ensure that Israel has the ability to defend itself against Iran and its Iranian-backed terrorist militias.”
“I fully support President (Joe) Biden's order for the U.S. military to shoot down Iranian missiles targeting Israel,” Harris said. “Early indications are that Israel, with our help, was able to defeat this attack.”
Harris added that Washington will work with its allies to disrupt what she called Iran's “aggressive behavior.”
Context
Israel has escalated its military campaign in Lebanon in recent days, killing hundreds and displacing more than a million people as a result of operations that Israel says target Lebanese, Iran-backed Hezbollah operatives.
Israel's military campaign in Lebanon complements the war in Gaza, which followed a deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian Hamas operatives. The Israeli military assault on Gaza has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced nearly everyone there, caused a hunger crisis and prompted accusations of genocide that Israel denies, according to Palestinian health authorities.
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