Biden said in his letter: “I am writing to inform you of developments in Israel and the United States government’s response to them. On October 1, 2024, Iran fired more than 200 ballistic missiles at Israel. “Consistent with our long-standing commitment to Israel’s security and our public indication of our ongoing efforts to protect Israel from Iranian and Iran-related threats, I am informing you of the position of US military forces to help defend Israel against these and any other such attacks.”
He added: “The outstanding performance of our service members throughout the Middle East, working to provide strong support to Israeli forces, has contributed to Israel’s historic defense against Iranian threats. Just like our shared success on April 13, 2024, our shared success on October 1 included shooting down dozens of incoming Iranian weapons before they could harm civilians in Israel.
The US President continued: “In recent months, we have adjusted the US military posture to improve the protection of US forces and increase support for the defense of Israel. These modifications include an expansion of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group, along with destroyer escorts and an aircraft carrier air wing equipped with fifth-generation F-35C Lightning II fighters, to replace the previously expanded USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier group.”
He added: “We have also deployed additional destroyers, including some destroyers capable of ballistic missile defense, the guided-missile submarine USS Georgia, the amphibious-ready group USS Wasp/Marine Expeditionary Unit, and several fighter and attack squadrons of fourth-generation fighters.” The fifth, including the F-22, F-15E, and F-16, in addition to the A-10 attack aircraft, and other forces.”
He continued: “American forces will remain stationed in the region to serve important national interests, including protecting American people and property from attacks launched by Iran and pro-Iranian militias, and continuing to support the defense of Israel, to which our commitment remains firm.” In this context, I directed the deployment of a ballistic missile defense system in Israel and its provision with members of the American military service capable of operating it to defend against any other ballistic missile attacks as long as this defensive position is necessary.
Biden concluded that he directed this action “consistent with my responsibility to protect American persons and interests abroad and advance United States national security and foreign policy interests, in accordance with my constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief, Chief Executive and Department of Foreign Relations of the United States.”
Source: The White House
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