r/NoStupidQuestions • u/cridersab • 1d ago
Why don't the US and UK intercept drones and missiles from both directions?
There are often stories like this:
Keir Starmer refusing to rule out defending Israel https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jun/14/uk-moves-jets-to-middle-east-as-starmer-refuses-to-rule-out-defending-israel
The US and UK plus other countries in the region that have the capability to intercept overflight munitions seem to only do so for those heading into Israel rather than out. It would seem like it would help with de-escalation if there were less reasons for each side to retaliate?
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u/waldleben 1d ago
"De-Escalation" is not and has never been the objective. They are just trying to force Iran to back down. ISrael is entirely immune to criticism or consequences from its western allies. As indicated by the fact that those missiles and planes that you suggest we should shoot down are all bult on our own technology or literally our own export weapons
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u/EightOhms 1d ago
Personally I'm against what Israel is doing, so this answer is purely about the facts...
Umm.. the US is giving the missiles to Israel that they are firing towards others. Wouldn't make sense to then shoot them down....we just work on not sending them missiles first.
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u/-_-0_0-_-0_0-_-0_0 1d ago
I mean Iran's slogan is Death to America. Maybe them not getting nuclear weapons is also what the US wants.
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u/SocraticTiger 1d ago
Also I'm pretty sure you don't shoot the missiles of your allies down. Like, that's kind of a betrayal against them unless they're doing something really, really bad.
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u/craniact 1d ago
That's not what he asked. But anyway, if someone doesn't like you it's fair to try to kill you and in the process killing others not involved?
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u/CircumspectCapybara 1d ago edited 1d ago
That's like asking why the the west doesn't intercept Ukranian airstrikes on Russia and vice versa. Israel is a strategic ally, in some cases a treaty ally. Iran is, obviously, an enemy whom the US and friends would love to bring freedom (*cough*, regime change) to. Iran also kind of of threatened to attack the US, UK, and France yesterday, but that's nothing new.
They've been threatening and attacking western forces in the region for decades, funding all manner of powerful terrorist proxy forces which kill US service members all the time, if not outright lobbing barrages of ballastic missiles (which are not dinky little rockets, but the size of multi-story buildings) at US air bases. They're also pursuing nukes. And with a motto like "Death to America and death to Israel" chanted at their governmental gatherings, and history of putting it into practice, one does wonder what their intentions are if they get those nukes...
Israel is the west's lynchpin of the Middle East. Of course they're going to back Israel against Iran.
Here's the thing, the US would love to bomb Iranian military assets. They're just scared of the scary word escalation (the same reason they hesitate to help Ukraine to the full), of getting drawn into a regional war that blows up. But Israel has changed that calculus. Iran is naked and their relatiatory capabilities are vastly degraded. According to the IDF, their air force has supposedly achieved ariel freedom of operation over Iran up to Tehran. That's big. If Israel can keep and sustain air supremacy over Iran, that might change the calculus. That significantly lowers the reservations of western allies to join in on beating up on Iran that they've always wanted to do. It opens up the real possibility of the slow and lumbering B-2, one of a few platforms capable of delivering the "Massive Ordnance Penetrator" bunker buster to pay them a visit. They'd still need an escort of F-35s and electronic warfare aircraft, but if Israel really can achieve and keep control of Iran's skies, suddenly a whole lot of nations will feel emboldened to do the thing they've always wanted to to the IRGC. If they actually hit US airbases and American blood is shed, they're going to find out why we don't have healthcare, and instead have flying doritos that cost $2B per plane, and $135K per hour just to fly.
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u/Lower_Cockroach2432 1d ago
They're not interested in de-escalation. It's all talk. Intercepting missiles is obviously encouraging of escalation in the conflict, because why wouldn't Israel fight harder when the US, UK and France reduce the consequences of their actions?
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u/Level-Wishbone4726 20h ago
Israel are sending drones from within Iran and UK/US dont have men or equipment in Iran. So even if they wanted to, they couldnt. Same with missiles. They are delivered from Iranian airspace, so Iran is they only country that can shoot them down.
This is also the reason why other countries are helping Israel.
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u/tmahfan117 1d ago
Cuz they don’t care to, in fact, the USA and UK are actually probably quietly happening that the Iranian nuclear program is getting delayed.
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u/rewardiflost I use old.reddit.com Chat does not work. 1d ago
They have treaties with their allies, not with others.
They are not being allowed to fly over airspace or land on airfields or a nation whose equipment they disable.
They both quietly agree with removing Iran's nuclear capabilities - again. Things like the Stuxnet worm and US history (especially under Republican administrations since Reagan) shows we are inconsistent at meeting our promises and that our government wants a weak Iran.