Israel can help the US attack Iranian drone facilities, a Republican congressman says

Florida Congressman Brian Mast suggested that the United States could “benefit” from Israel's attacks on Iran if the airstrikes were focused on Iran's drone facilities.

Israeli officials confirmed that the Israeli military carried out a series of attacks in retaliation for the airstrike launched by Iran earlier this month. Iranian media reported that explosions and the sounds of activated air defense systems could be heard around Tehran on Friday evening. A spokesman for Israel's National Security Council said its military is “carrying out targeted attacks on military targets in Iran as a self-defense exercise and in response to Iran's missile attack on Israel on October 1.”

Mast, a Republican, responded to the reports on X, formerly Twitter, saying that “with these attacks, Israel can reshape the landscape to America's advantage.”

“If they hit Iran’s drone production facilities, it means the Houthis cannot buy drones to attack American ships,” Mast added. “If Israel attacks Iran’s oil fields, it will hurt China – Iran’s largest oil customer.”

Two Israeli officials who spoke to the Associated Press said Israel did not target Iranian nuclear or oil facilities in the airstrikes. It is unclear which websites were targeted in the attacks.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.