Iran fires missiles into Israel further escalating tensions

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- Iran fired nearly 200 ballistic missiles at Israel Tuesday, but President Joe Biden said at his direction, the U.S. military helped thwart the attack. 

"U.S. naval destroyers joined Israeli air defense units in firing interceptors to shoot down inbound missiles," said Jake Sullivan, the White House national security advisor.

During Tuesday's White House press briefing, Sullivan said early reports showed no deaths or major damage in Israel.

"This attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective," he said.

Sullivan monitored the attack with President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris from the Situation Room, but officials would not say what the U.S. response would be in coordination with Israel.

"Make no mistake. The United States is fully, fully, fully supportive of Israel," President Biden said. 

Israeli officials remain defiant that their country has a right to defend itself against Iran and its terror groups Hezbollah and Hamas.

"They fight to kill Jews. They fight to kill Israelis," said David Mencer, the spokesperson for the National Public Diplomacy Directorate. "Israel's action is limited, targeted and localized."

Iran said it launched the attack at Israel in retaliation for the recent killings of top Hezbollah and Hamas leaders.