US Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, condemned Iran as a "dangerous" and "destabilizing" force in the Middle East on Tuesday, reaffirming Washington's commitment to Israel's security. Her remarks came just hours after Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel in response to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Lebanon.
Harris, who will face former President Donald Trump in the upcoming US election on November 5, expressed unwavering support for Israel, stressing that she would always ensure Israel's ability to defend itself against Iran and its allied militias. "I am clear-eyed about Iran's destabilizing role in the Middle East," she said. "I fully support President Biden's directive for the US military to intercept and shoot down Iranian missiles targeting Israel."
Despite Iran's missile attack, no casualties were reported in Israel, and US officials labeled the attack as ineffective. Harris emphasized the collaboration between the US and its allies to counter Iran’s aggressive actions in the region.
Israel's military operations in Lebanon, which target Hezbollah militants backed by Iran, have intensified in recent days, leading to significant casualties and displacing over a million people. This campaign runs alongside Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, which began after the October 7 attack by Hamas. The conflict in Gaza has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, widespread displacement, and severe humanitarian crises, with Israel facing accusations of genocide—charges it firmly denies.