U.S. Assets in Mediterranean Again Helped Defend Israel Against Iranian Missiles > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

Iran attacked Israel earlier as we speak with a barrage of roughly 200 ballistic missiles. Whereas most of these missiles have been destroyed earlier than reaching their goal, some did influence and trigger minimal injury, mentioned the Pentagon press secretary throughout a briefing as we speak.

“We condemn these reckless assaults by Iran, and we name on Iran to halt any additional assaults, together with from its proxy forces,” mentioned Pentagon Press Secretary Air Power Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder. “In the course of the assault, the U.S. army coordinated carefully with the Israeli Protection Forces to assist defend Israel.” 

In the present day’s assault was practically twice the scope of an analogous assault April 13 and 14, mentioned Ryder. And like in April, the U.S. once more assisted in defending Israel. 

Two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, the usCole and USS Bulkeley, each deployed within the Japanese Mediterranean, fired a dozen interceptors at incoming Iranian ballistic missiles as a part of defending Israel. Presently, Ryder mentioned, it’s unknown if these interceptors took down any of the missiles. 

Ryder additionally mentioned preliminary assessments are that each one the missiles fired have been really launched from Iran, not from proxy states, and Iran did certainly plan to trigger a major quantity of hurt in Israel. 

“You do not launch that many missiles at a goal with out the intent of hitting one thing,” Ryder mentioned. “Identical to the final time, their intent is to trigger destruction. And so, thankfully … Israel has very vital air protection capabilities, and the U.S., in fact, performed a job in serving to on that entrance as properly.” 

Preliminary indications, Ryder mentioned, are that there was minimal injury on the bottom and Israel was capable of defend itself towards the Iranian assault efficiently. 

Ryder additionally mentioned, no U.S. personnel have been injured or harmed through the Iranian missile assault. 

Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III communicated with Israeli Protection Minister Yoav Gallant at the very least twice as we speak, each earlier than the assault and through the assault, Ryder mentioned. 

“He reaffirmed the USA ironclad dedication to the protection of Israel and underscored that the U.S. stays well-postured all through the Center East area to guard U.S. forces and defend Israel within the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations,” Ryder mentioned.