US ships defended Israel against Iranian missiles, officials say

American warships stationed in the eastern Mediterranean have been used to defend against Iranian missiles aimed at Israel as well as ground-based interceptors, two US officials confirmed to NBC News.

But they said the total number of US interceptions has been relatively low so far.

The ships—identified just yesterday, June 16, by other US officials as Arleigh Burke–class guided‑missile destroyers—have joined Israel’s own air‑and‑missile defences, launching sea‑based SM‑3 and SM‑6 interceptors to help thwart incoming threats. They have operated alongside Israel’s ground‑based batteries, including Iron Dome, Patriot and THAAD systems

The Pentagon last week ordered two destroyers in the Mediterranean to move closer to Israel to assist in protecting US assets in the region. Israel has also used American air defences to knock down Iranian drones and missiles targeting Israeli civilian infrastructure.  

Last year, the US sent several Patriot air defence batteries to the Middle East, including two pulled from the Indo-Pacific. Last October, the US also deployed a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence battery, along with around 100 soldiers, to Israel to help intercept missiles fired by Iran and its proxies.  

By Khagan Isayev