Harris, Trump Address Israeli Airstrikes on Iran During US Presidential Campaigns

 Two army soldiers and people walk through Tajrish traditional bazaar in northern Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP)
Two army soldiers and people walk through Tajrish traditional bazaar in northern Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP)
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Harris, Trump Address Israeli Airstrikes on Iran During US Presidential Campaigns

 Two army soldiers and people walk through Tajrish traditional bazaar in northern Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP)
Two army soldiers and people walk through Tajrish traditional bazaar in northern Tehran, Iran, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. (AP)

On the campaign trail this weekend, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump briefly addressed Israel’s airstrikes on Iran military sites.

“Israel is attacking -- we’ve got a war going on and she’s out partying,” Trump said at a rally in Michigan on Friday as Harris was holding an event with Beyoncé in Texas.

Meanwhile, Harris on Saturday called for “de-escalation and not an escalation of activities in that region.”

“I feel very strongly, we as the United States feel very strongly that Iran must stop what it is doing in terms of the threat that it presents to the region and we will always defend Israel against any attacks by Iran in that way,” she told reporters in Michigan.



Israel Signs $500 Mln Deal on Interception System that Strikes Down Rockets, Missiles and Drones

06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. (dpa)
06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. (dpa)
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Israel Signs $500 Mln Deal on Interception System that Strikes Down Rockets, Missiles and Drones

06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. (dpa)
06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. (dpa)

Israel’s Defense Ministry said Monday it has signed a $500 million deal to begin production of a laser interception system that can strike down incoming rockets, missiles and drones.

The Iron Beam will be produced by two Israeli companies and is expected to be ready in a year’s time, the ministry said.

Israel already has an elaborate, multilayered aerial defense system that relies on interceptors to strike down incoming missile fire and drones. But Israel has said the Iron Beam system will be a game changer because it would be much cheaper to operate than existing systems. It is expected to be operational within a year

The aerial defense array includes the Iron Dome, which intercepts short range missiles and drones, David’s Sling, which intercepts medium-range missiles, and The Arrow, which intercepts long-range ballistic missiles.

“The Iron Beam will complement the Iron Dome, and the combination of laser and missile interception will further strengthen our defense systems against rockets, missiles, UAVs, cruise missiles, and additional threats,” the ministry said.

The vast majority of missiles and drones fired at Israel during the ongoing Mideast wars have been intercepted. However, some have made it through and drones have become a particular challenge to shoot down.