Well, here we go; Iran launches missiles & drones @ Israel..

[purplefaithful]

Iranian state media confirmed that retaliatory drone strikes have been launched against targets in Israel.According to Iran's Press TV, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) “has launched extensive drone strikes against targets in occupied territories," a term Iran uses to describe Israel.
An IRGC statement was also read on Iranian state TV. 

"In response to the Zionist regime's crime in attacking the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, the IRGC’s air force hit certain targets in the territories of the Zionist regime with dozens of drones and missiles," the statement said.

Iran has launched an attack against Israel that is “likely to unfold over a number of hours,” according to National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson. 

“President Biden is being regularly updated on the situation by his national security team and will meet with them this afternoon at the White House,” and the team “is in constant communication with Israeli officials as well as other partners and allies,” the statement reads.

Watson reaffirmed the president’s position that “our support for Israel’s security is ironclad” and that the United States will “stand with the people of Israel and support their defense against these threats from Iran.”


Israel estimates more than 100 drones launched by Iran, Israeli military official says
From CNN's Jeremy Diamond
Israel now estimates that Iran has launched more than 100 drones, according to an Israeli military official.

Iranian state news reports first wave of ballistic missiles fired toward Israel

Iranian state news IRNA reported that the first barrage of ballistic missiles has been launched toward Israel, citing an informed Iranian source. 



https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news...index.html

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The UK has condemned Iran’s attack on Israel, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on a statement posted on X.

“I condemn in the strongest terms the Iranian regime’s reckless attack against Israel. Iran has once again demonstrated that it is intent on sowing chaos in its own backyard,” Sunak’s statement said.
“The UK will continue to stand up for Israel’s security and that of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq,” it said.

“Alongside our allies, we are urgently working to stabilize the situation and prevent further escalation. No one wants to see more bloodshed.”

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US has significant military presence in region and has said it will defend Israel
From CNN's Haley Britzky

Ahead of Iran launching dozens of drones towards Israel, President Joe Biden on Friday made clear the US would help defend its ally.

“We are devoted to the defense of Israel,” he said from the White House. “We will support Israel. We will help defend Israel and Iran will not succeed.”
The US has forces in Iraq and Syria that could potentially intercept drones en route to Israel, depending on the location from which they’re launched. US Navy forces in the Red Sea have previously intercepted long-range missiles launched from the Houthis in Yemen towards Israel.

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US assets are in the region that could help in defense against Iran attacks
From CNN's Haley Britzky

The Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group remains in the region after officials say that Iran launched dozens of drones towards Israel.

The strike group includes 6,000 sailors, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Gravely (DDG 107).

The destroyers have the ability to intercept missiles. They have repeatedly intercept launches form Iranian proxies.

The group also includes Carrier Air Wing Three, which is composed of nine squadrons, including four strike fighter squadrons.

Additionally, air defense systems for US force protection exists in Iraq, Syria and Jordan.

[purplefaithful]

US continues "to shoot down Iranian-launched drones targeting Israel," defense official says
From CNN's Oren Liebermann
The US is continuing “to shoot down Iranian-launched drones targeting Israel,” a US defense official said Sunday.

"In accordance with our ironclad commitment to Israel’s security, US forces in the region continue to shoot down Iranian-launched drones targeting Israel," the official said. "Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect US forces operating in the region."

[Zanary]

I just brought this from the similar thread in PT:

We're a country of over 300 million, and pretty mixed by design. We're going to have people pushing to support all sides, even when it's truly horrifying/nauseating.

That said...and I know I'll get plenty of wannabe abuse for this:

1. "Palestine" was a Roman name for an area, never a state, and the entire legacy of "Palestinians" is that of attemped ACTUAL genocide on Israel, failure, then playing PR games for international support. The PLO leadership and others have confirmed this in quotes for decades, and the current hamas leadership filth is clear that they don't want two states, tbat they won't stop until Israel is gone...so, I ask, why does the world need a "Palestine"? The real "innocents" had jobs in Israel and could be offered citizenship deals, the rest can go to the same Iran that's funded both hamas and Hezbollah.

2. Biden is a spineless, useless *****. All he had to do was keep his conversations with Netanyahu (a true s**thead, I don't deny) between them, show sympathy for any victims lost in the ongoing fight, but remain firm and remind America that some of those hostages are OURS. Instead, he's given symbolic victories to terrorists/Iran, looks completely indecisive, and is exposing the deep rifts within his own gutless party of clowns.

3. Trumplestilskin is still s filthy, lying, sack of spray-tanned s**t himself, and only sounds more stupid and dishonest when he claims he can speak for both Jews and Blacks from his pulpit of BS. He really does need to have some of those felonies get him locked up, so we can get some peace from this tragic comedy clown.

4. As for "dragging us into this...", we're in it, as deep or more than we're in the Ukraine mess, and for many of the same reasons: the people behind these tragic debacles aren't interested in stopping at their current targets, this should be VERY plain by now. How many shrieking marches, blocked traffic, blocked airports, bulled citizens, bullied businesses, cancelled speakers/comedians/performers, and completely harassed Jewish students have we seen over here, already? IT'S HERE, it's deep into the UK, it's terrifying in Canada, and pretending it's just "over there" is the height of denial. Russia is doing their damage more covertly, more cyber and influence, but too many GOP goons are practically parroting putin's babble (along with one infamous former Faux Nooz antisemite assclown) to be ignored, and again...it's HERE, just more in the House of Representatives than in the streets.

We're "drug in" already. At some point, we need to decide if we're winning or not.