US Navy warships fired interceptors at Iranian missiles targeting Israel

• US Navy warships fired interceptors at Iranian missiles targeting Israel on Tuesday.

• The engagement came amid a massive Iranian retaliatory attack against Israel.

• It is the second time in six months that US forces defended Israel from an Iranian missile attack.

U.S. Navy warships fired interceptors at Iranian missiles targeting Israel on Tuesday in a massive retaliatory attack. This was the second time in less than six months that American forces had done this.

The US defensive action came as Iran fired around 180 missiles at targets in Israel. The Israeli military said it also intercepted “a large number” of the rockets as civilians sought shelter in shelters.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said the U.S. military coordinated closely with Israeli forces to protect the country from the attack.

“U.S. Navy destroyers fired interceptors alongside Israeli air defense units to shoot down incoming missiles,” Sullivan told reporters at a news conference. “We are not aware of any damage to aircraft or strategic military installations in Israel,” he added, saying the attack “appears to have been repelled” and “ineffective.”

Pentagon press secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said two destroyers – USS Bulkeley and USS Cole – fired about a dozen interceptors to protect Israel from Iranian ballistic missiles. It is unclear how many projectiles were actually fired.

A U.S. defense official previously told Business Insider that U.S. forces stationed in the Middle East are “currently defending against missiles fired by Iran toward Israel,” adding that “our forces remain prepared to provide additional defense support and the in “To protect US forces operating in the Middle East.” Region.”

Tehran said the rocket attack on Israel was in retaliation for the killings of senior Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

Iran announced retaliatory measures against Israel after Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas’ political wing, did so murdered in Tehran in July. The Israeli military has also targeted the Iranian-backed Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah killedthe militant group’s leader, in an airstrike in Beirut on Friday.

Nasrallah’s assassination, which came just days before Israel began “restricted” ground operations In Lebanon, fears were raised that the year-long Middle East conflict could escalate and possibly involve the United States and Iran.

A senior White House official warned of the Iranian fire that the United States had seen signs that Tehran was “imminently” planning to launch a ballistic missile attack against Israel. The official said U.S. forces were ready to help with defense and that Iran would face “serious consequences” if it attacked Israel directly.

American warships and aircraft shot down Iranian missiles and drones during Tehran’s unprecedented attack on Israel in April.

The US military has Naval and Air Forces in position in the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean – more than in the spring – and additional forces were on the way as of Tuesday.

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