(NewsNation) — Tensions in the Middle East intensified Tuesday as the Israeli Defense Force said Iran launched missiles toward Israel.
NewsNation’s Robert Sherman reported hearing explosions as Israel intercepted missiles in Haifa.
Residents in several areas of the country were urged to take cover for some time before being told they could leave protected areas.
National Security advisor Jake Sullivan said Iran’s airstrike attack appeared “to have been defeated and ineffective.” NewsNation’s Leland Vittert believes there will not be immediate panic for most of the more than 500,000 Americans living in Israel.
“Is there going to be some mass exodus? It doesn’t seem like that right now,” Vittert said on “NewsNation Now.“
“Israel’s been preparing for this for a very, very long time. The Israelis watch American politics almost closer than we do,” he added.
Vittert suggested that NewsNation viewers monitor President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s response to Iran’s attack.
“How does the Biden-Harris team manage trying to show that they are supportive of Israel? Remember, it was Kamala Harris who kept telling the Iranians ‘Don’t, don’t, don’t.’ Well, now she’s going to have to face questions. ‘You told the Iranians don’t. What are the consequences of don’t?'”
During a “60 Minutes” interview in October 2023, Harris was asked what she would say to Iran regarding its potential involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Her response was “don’t.” When prompted, she added “one word. Pretty straightforward.”
Vittert admitted he is unsure what’s next but said, “There’s going to be a lot of questions over the next 24 hours about U.S. involvement, and then how the Biden administration chooses to move things forward.”