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Missile strikes US and UK had limited role in defence effort

The Guardian

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October 03, 2024

Quiet planning by the US, UK and other allies to help Israel repel an Iranian long-range attack have been going on for several months or more - but most of the defensive effort appears to have been undertaken by Israeli air defence systems.

- Dan Sabbagh

Missile strikes US and UK had limited role in defence effort

The only reported military engagements in support of Israel were a dozen interceptors fired by two US warships in the eastern Mediterranean, while Jordan said its own air defence systems and air force were involved in targeting Iranian missiles.

Because the Iranian attack on Tuesday comprised 181 high-speed ballistic missiles, there was no role for US or UK jets. They had been on standby in the eastern Mediterranean to shoot down slower moving Shahed drones as they had done during Iran's previous attack in April, when a mixture of weapons was used.

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