Pentagon says US forces remain ‘well postured’ in Middle East

Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said US forces remain “well postured throughout the Middle East” to protect its personnel and support Israel’s defence. Here’s what else he said:

• Ryder said he was not aware that Iran had given Washington any prior notice of the attack.
• He said the attack was “twice the scope” of a previous Iranian attack in April.
• He declined to respond to reports that Iran had used its Fattah hypersonic ballistic missile for the first time.
• Ryder said US naval destroyers fired a dozen interceptors during today’s attacks.
• He said no US personnel or infrastructure were hit.
• He remained vague on whether the US would join Israel in any further attacks on Iran, although he said there “will be security and economic consequences” for Iranian escalation.
• He said the attack was meant to cause real damage: “You don’t launch that many missiles at a target without the intent of hitting something.”