U.S. Military Intercepts Iranian Ballistic Missiles in Mediterranean, Downs Drone

CNN reported on the 13th (local time) that some of the ballistic missiles and drones launched by Iran in a retaliatory attack against Israel were intercepted by U.S. forces.

Quoting two U.S. officials familiar with the matter, CNN stated that the U.S. military intercepted over 70 one-way attack drones and more than three ballistic missiles aimed at Israel.

One U.S. official said the ballistic missiles were intercepted by warships deployed in the eastern Mediterranean.

Another official reported that U.S. fighter jets also responded to Iran’s attack and shot down drones launched towards Israel.

In connection with this, U.S. President Joe Biden explained in a statement that day that U.S. aircraft and missile defense ships were deployed in the region last week to support Israel’s defense.

He also stated, “Thanks to such deployments and the exceptional skills of our soldiers, we have helped Israel to shoot down almost all the drones and missiles approaching Israel.”

Earlier that night, Iran carried out a large-scale airstrike against Israel in retaliation for an attack on its consulate in Syria.

Daniel Hagari, a senior spokesman for the Israeli military, said that Iran had launched more than 200 missiles and drones.

The New York Times (NYT) from the U.S. they were reported, citing Israeli officials, that Iran launched 185 drones, 36 cruise missiles, and 110 surface-to-surface missiles.

A senior U.S. official told CNN that Iran launched over 100 ballistic missiles in this attack.