America reveals the toll of Iran's attack

Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder answered questions at a daily press briefing.

Spokesperson Ryder stated that, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM), 110 medium-range ballistic missiles, 30 land-attack cruise missiles, and more than 150 UAVs were launched at Israel from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.

Ryder stated that 81 of these UAVs and at least 6 ballistic missiles were shot down by the US.

Noting that the US does not want to see an escalation of tension in the region, Ryder added that they will continue to take necessary measures to defend Israel and US personnel.

Ryder deflected questions regarding Israel's statement that it would respond to Iran, saying, "I don't want to get into hypotheticals at this point," and stated that these should be directed to Israel.

Regarding a question about reports that 50 percent of the missiles and UAVs launched in Iran's retaliation failed and did not reach their targets, Ryder stated from the podium that he would not go into intelligence details and claimed that "99 percent of the air threat directed at Israel was eliminated."

Ryder also said that Iran did not provide any warning to the US through allies before launching the attacks.

On the other hand, in response to a question about the depletion of Ukraine's air defense interceptors, Ryder described the situation in Ukraine as "dire."

Stating that Russian forces are making progress on the front, Ryder reported that the US needs to provide for Ukraine's air defense needs.

Ryder said, "The most important thing that can happen right now is for the US Congress to pass the supplemental budget so that Ukraine can receive the volume and level of support it needs to maintain its defense."

IRAN-ISRAEL TENSION

Israel had carried out an airstrike on Iran's consulate building in Damascus on April 1. Seven Iranian officials, including two generals from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, were killed in the attack.

Iran had announced that Israel's consulate attack meant an attack on its own territory and that they would retaliate. Israel, in turn, had announced that it would respond to Iran's attack.

On April 13, Iran launched an attack on Israel with hundreds of kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.

Iran announced that some targets were hit, while Israel stated that most of the attacks were intercepted by air defense systems, but that a missile had struck a military base in the south.

The Israeli press had claimed that the Tel Aviv administration had decided to respond to Iran's air attack in a "clear and effective" manner.

News Source: AA