Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin praised the coordinated international effort to boost Israel’s air defense ahead of and during Iran’s unprecedented attack last week.
Austin appeared in front of the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, where he addressed Iran’s attack, which consisted of more than 300 ballistic and cruise missiles and attack drones, the vast majority of which were intercepted, for the first time publicly.
“What you saw come together there in defense of Israel, I think, was quite remarkable,” Austin told lawmakers. “And again, that doesn’t happen at the eleventh hour. That happens because countries are working together, making sure that we have the right procedures and processes in place to enable us to do that.”
The attack, which originated from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, included about 110 medium-range ballistic missiles, over 30 land attack cruise missiles, and over 150 drones. U.S. Navy destroyers USS Arleigh Burke and USS Carney successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack UAVs and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen, according to the Pentagon.
Austin specifically referenced U.S. Central Command Commander Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, who traveled to Israel days before the attack to meet with his Israeli counterparts. The military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region in the week that preempted the attack.
CENTCOM forces, supported by U.S. European Command destroyers, successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen.
“The skill of our pilots and the ability to pass information between countries and share insights on battle space, I think it all came together the way it was supposed to come together,” the secretary added.
Tehran should take note of Israel’s air defense capabilities, as well as those of the allies that participated in Israel’s defense, Austin added.
Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted his testimony multiple times, accusing the United States of being complicit in what they claimed was Israel’s “genocide” against the Palestinian people.
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“What [Iran] should learn from that is not only does Israel have the ability to defend itself against significant challenges, but its allies, principly the U.S., has significant capabilities as well,” he said. “Number one, their assumptions are wrong and number two, that we’re going to do what’s necessary to help in the defense of Israel.”
Israel is now weighing how it will respond to the attack, while many of its international partners are advising them to show restraint instead of engaging in a retaliatory attack that could spiral into a regional war between them.