Less than three hours ago, iran launched a Missile Attack on israel. Here again was the scene from inside of Tel Aviv. [ sirens ] the missiles reached Israels Air Space after a Shooting Attack was reported in Tel Aviv which officials are calling a suspected Terror Attack. At least eight people were killed. Joining us now from jerusalem, erin mcloughlin. Also Nbc News chief foreign correspondent, Richard Engel whos in lebanon. Erin, we havent really touched base on the news from jaffa and the suspected Terror Attack that killed according to officials, at least eight people. Reporter yes, thats right. We are hearing from israeli officials that shortly before the Missile Attack from iran, two suspected terrorists aboard a train in jaffa left the train, Opening Fire indiscriminantly killing a number of israelis and wounding before they were shot and killed by israeli security forces. Medics on the scene really describe just this chilling attack. That attack unfolded as iran opened fire and were now getting new details in interpreters of the Size And Scope of irans Missile Attack on israel according to an official. 180 missiles, an Israeli Military official. 180 missiles were fired from iran toward israel and thats significant because if you remember when iran fired a barrage of missiles toward israel back in april, it was estimated that that Missile Attack was 110 to 120 missiles. So this is a significant escalation in that regard. We are hearing from Israeli Military officials that no casualties from this latest attack have been reported so far. Damage assessments are underway. Israeli military officials saying there have been limited impacts in central and southern israel. We understand that at the military headquarters there in Tel Aviv, they are meeting and the Israeli Military spokesperson says there will be a response to this attack. The question of course being how will israel calibrate its response key factors in this of course is damage done from the missile strike, the number of casualties. Again, we have not heard of any casualties so far, as well as input from united states officials all along have been urging a deescalation. They are very concerned about the prospect of a broader regional conflict. Theres still damage assessment, were awaiting that within israel. Again, 180 missiles fired from iran according to the israeli estimate. Richard, theres also a, you know, a limited Ground Incursion if you want to call it that. Happening in lebanon. What is the status of that . Whats going on . Well, there is a Ground War that has begun here in lebanon and so far, it is limited and i think it is all connected. Because israel has connected it. Because these groups are connected. Iran backed hezbollah. In many ways, hezbollah was the most powerful proxy, the most powerful Weapon Iran had in its arsonal. Israel has long seen hezbollah as the iranian sword hanging over its northern border and over the last two weeks, israel has been dismisling hezbollah. We have to go to matt mat miller. Lets join us in condemning it. Secretary blinken joined President Biden, Vice President Harris And Other Members of the president s national Security Team in monitoring this attack as it was unfolding. As well as our response. As the president has made clear, our support for Israels Security is ironclad. We will continue to stand with the people of israel at this critical moment. With that, matt. Thanks, matt. So, i think this probably goes without saying but just to make sure we get it on record. In terms of what happened in israel, no damage to any u. S. Facilities. No injuries, no nothing. At this time, we are not aware of any damage to u. S. Facilities. As you know, we issued an order earlier today for our personnel. State department personnel and israel to shelter at their homes. We have full accountability for our personnel. Were not aware of any civilian casualties inside israel. Let alone an american citizen casualty. Theres one report of a palestinian who died in the West Bank but no. No damage to any u. S. Facility either. And then both you and the national Security Adviser just a few minutes ago talked about this being a brazen and unacceptable escalation. Does the administration see anything that israel has done over the course of the last three weeks as escalatory . Certainly, they have done things to expand the conflict but if you look at the actions that they have taken, they were bringing terrorists to justice. Terrorists who have launched attacks on israeli civilians. If you look at what iran did today, we have been warning for some time about the threat posed by iran harming and funding Terrorist Groups across the Middle East and the Attack Today just demonstrated the danger of those actions. What you saw was iran launching a state on State Attack to protect and defend the Terrorist Groups that has built, nurtured and controls. So there is a difference between the actions we have seen israel take. I just wanted to make sure that you didnt see we have certainly seen iran, israel, expand the nature of its attacks against hezbollah but its a very different type of attack than what we saw today from a State Actor against another state. Okay. Last one. This has to do with lebanon on the northern front. The situation there, you know, unstable and uncertain. I know that you guys have been asking americans who might want information about assistance and possibly leaving to sign up on a form. Can you give us an update on the numbers so that is the update from the State Department, Matt Miller saying that this is not iran protecting itself. This is iran protecting a u. S. Designated Terror Organization that it uses as its proxy. Joining us now, former Prime Minister of israel. Thank you so much for joining us once again. What is your response to what youve witnessed today . Very clear. Yesterday, you asked me whether we have adopted a policy of might as you called it. What we can see now is that iran adopted a policy of might. Very vicious, Aggressive. 180 Ballistic Missiles. Warheads of approximately 1000 kilos each. Some landing in the center of Tel Aviv this evening. Its not a game. Its a serious event and i believe i dont know, i dont speak for the government, but i believe it would be by israel and it would be a very painful counteroffensive. I dont think that israel wants to extend this into an All Out War with iran but i dont think theres any country in the world which has been affected by 180 Ballistic Missiles of this size, this nature. To send off from the country where forcing 10 Million people seeking shelters, defending themselves from these Missiles Wouldnt react in a matter that would deter the attack from repeating and i hope this will be the nature of our reaction tonight. Prime minister, i have Elon Pinkus here. He thinks retaliation is a bad idea. They says this is irans retaliation for what they were able to do to a leader and the leader inside of iran. Is it a good idea to strike back and to make it as you said you believe it will be, painful . I always amazed sometimes at the sense of humor of some. Israel never took responsibility for the targeting of one individual that was hit, who was a little terrorist organization and was recognized as such. By the international community. We were attacked by iran this evening with 180 Ballistic Missiles. Each of 1,000 kilos. They have been intercepted most by americans and israelis. Were grateful to america. For assisting us to protect israelis from this terrible attack. By helping us To Intercept so many of these missiles. Had one targeted one Apartment Building in the center of Tel Aviv, hundreds of people have been killed. This is a matter of trying to put things in right perspective. For iran. The iranian will continue to shoot missiles against israel. Will continue to supply these missiles with hezbollah and hamas and run militias in Iraq And Syria and will pay a certain price for doing it. And i think that this has been clarified by the united states, but the State Department. By the president himself over the last few weeks. I think we have to think of how we can reduce the desire of the iranian to carry on these attacks and if we have to do it by using the exceptional capacities of israel as they were manifested vaguely in lebanon, then i think well have to believe. Thank you very much for joining us. I appreciate it. Joining us again so quickly after yesterdays interview. To the pentagon. Everyone, thanks very much for your patience. Delayed start time today. Just a couple of things. As youre aware, iran conducted a significant attack against israel launching approximately 200 Ballistic Missiles targeting several locations in israel. We condemned these attacks and call on iran to halt any further attacks including from its proxy forces. During the attack, the u. S. Military coordinated closely with the israeli defense forces to help defend israel. Us Navy Destroyers supported the defense of israel by firing approximately a Dozen Intercepters. Initial reports indicate that israel was able To Intercept the majority of missiles and there was minimal damage on the ground, but id refer you to israel for confirmation and questions as theyre in a better position to discuss. Please note were still assessing the Attack And Outcome so numbers may change as we receive updates. Additionally, no u. S. Personnel were harmed during the iranian Missile Attack. Secretary austin, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and u. S. Central Command Commander have been in constant contact with President Biden and Vice President harris throughout the day to consult on the situation and u. S. Actions. In addition to his Phone Call earlier this morning with Israeli Minister Defense Ga Atlanta prior to the iranian attack, Secretary Austin spoke to the minister again just a short while ago to get an update. He reaffirmed the united states ironclad commitment and that the u. S. Remains well postured to protect u. S. Forces and defend israel in the face of threats from iran and iranbacked terrorist organizations. Well provide a readout of that call as soon as possible. To be crystal clear, as Secretary Austin has said, should iran, partners or proxies use to moment to target american personnel in the region, the united states will take every necessary measure to defend our people. Separately, i have an update to provide on dod support to Hurricane Helene Response efforts but ill provide that at The End. Happy to take questions. Ap. What Navy Destroyers were helping involve, Shoot Down, and intercept . And given this escalation, whats being communicated between Secretary Austin and galant . The two involved were the uss and cole. In terms of the conversations between Secretary Austin and minister galant, wont get into the private discussions other than to say we are consulting on next steps and the continued defense of israel. Are there any plans underway to Conduct A given the increased risk of wider war . Right now, there has been no order to evacuate. We are a Planning Organization so we plan for all contingencies but as of right now, State Department has not called for an evacuation. Should we assume the sm3s were used to Shoot Down the missiles . Im not going to get into the specific type of ordnance other than to say they fired a Dozen Intercepters. Iran said they gave a Heads Up to the u. S. And to russia. How much warning were you given by iran . Im not aware of any prewarning by iran about their potential attack. As you know, this is something weve been following very closely for a while. Based on the threat of retaliation by iran so weve been closely consulting with israel for a while now to be prepared in the eventually and as today demonstrated, we were prepared and we were able to successfully work alongside israel to defend them from this attack. Thanks, pat. You said that the destroyer shot down iranian missiles. Where did they come from . Where they all from inside iran or were some from inside iran . Were still assessing this. These were all launched from iran. Ballistic missiles and what i said was that they fired the intercepters towards those missiles. Were any other u. S. Assets involved . In this defense . Of course, we have a lot of capability in the region. A lot of things that are there to be prepared for a wide variety of threats but for the launching of these intercepters, it was the two destroyers. No Ground Bases were used in this. Were you aware of any duds that didnt fire off and iran wanted to fire more than the roughly 200 . Wer still assessing the outcome of the attack and so well have much more information later but these are all our initial reports. Then on the second call with the Secretary And Mr. Galant, did he urge israel not to respond or to moderate any response to iran or did galant share any of israels intentions . Im sure you can appreciate im just not going to be able to get into the details of their call other than to say again were consulting closely about next steps. And the continued defense of israel. What is Secretary Austin think about the potential for an israeli response here . Does he, would he urge them without saying what he said in the call necessarily, but what are his feelings about the potential . Would he urge them restraint . If you take a step back here, we fully support israeli right to defend itself. You saw a very significant ballistic Missile Attack by iran against israel. And so you know, well continue to work alongside them to support their defense. We of course do not want to see a wider regional conflict. Youve heard us say that many times and well continue to work towards that end but we also fully understand the fact that this was a significant attack by iran and so were going to continue to consult closely and were going to continue to support their defense. Thank you. Just a couple of clarifications. You say that the u. S. Destroyers had intercepted or shot down missiles or just fired . They fired approximately a Dozen Intercepters against the incoming iranian missiles. Were there any u. S. Aircraft that shot . What ive read out is what participated in the defense of israel. Just one more. Can you say if there were any drones or Cruise Missiles involved . Again, still assessing it right now. Appears it was Ballistic Missiles. No drones. Well continue to assess. Joseph. Just want to turn to the israeli invasion of lebanon. For the past couple of months, the Department And Secretary have called for deescalation. You guys have voiced your opposition to any Ground Incursion, invasion operations. After we found out that the israeli strike last week killed the hezbollah chief, seems like the tone changed for the statements last night, the Department Secretary said they supported what israel is doing. So what changed for a change in that tone and that Stance And Department . Yeah, i think the biggest thing is we fully support israels right to defend itself against hezbollah as we understand it. They will be conducting limited operations to destroy hezbollah infrastructure thats arrayed along the border there that could be used to threaten israeli citizens. So were continuing to consult with the israelis to better understand how they intend to go forward. Obviously, i refer you to talk or ask questions about details regarding those operations. But we fully understand as part of their overall efforts to return people home that they do need to address those threats that are along the border there. And so all that to say we will continue to consult with the israelis and other partners in the region longterm about how we can deescalate those tensions and get to a cease fire. Did they ask for any help from you guys . No. Yes, sir. Were the united states surprised by the scale of the iranian attack on israel . Well, look. Like i said before, weve been monitoring this for a while. Iran had been very public about its threats to retaliate. And so its something that weve been monitoring. Certainly, this was a significant attack. Probably about twice the size in terms of scope of what we saw earlier. But again, were still assessing the outcomes of this. And as i highlighted at the top, we certainly condemn this reckless, direct attack against israel and well continue to support israels defense. Several israeli media spoke about Response Tonight to this attack including some not just iran. Some other Middle Eastern countries. Will the united states be assisting the israelis in the response . Im not going to speculate about hypotheticals. Id refer you to the israelis to talk about you know will The Americans help them with the what youre asking me is if theyre going to do something and im saying im not going to speculate what if or what they may do. As i referred you to colleagues in terms of next steps with the emphasis being the defense of israel. This side of the room. Warren. Essentially a follow up to that question. Is the u. S. Willing to strike iran in response to this . Are you putting that on or off the table . Again, i dont want to get into hypotheticals. I think i was very clear at the top that should u. S. Forces be targeted by iran or its proxies, well take necessary steps to defend our people and i think weve been clear that were going to support the defense of israel. And so not going to get into theoretical or speculative operations at this stage other than to say you know, we mean what we say and we say what we mean. Follow up question. Iran claims to have used a new missile which is supposed to be a hypersonic Ballistic Missile. Can you assess whether they did use new and advanced weaponry in this attack and what did they learn from the April Attack . Again, were still assessing the attack and the outcomes and so we may have more to provide later but i dont have anything on that right now. Dan. Thanks for your time. Two questions, please. On Secretary Austins statement last night, we referred to being supportive of operations along the border. Is he open to israel using operations on both sides of the border . On the border was a little vague there. I think id go back to how i responded to joseph. We understand and support israels right to d