The United States Navy released videos on Wednesday showing two U.S. guided-missile missile destroyers intercepting ballistic missiles launched by Iran against Israel.
According to Fox News, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon’s press secretary, told reporters on Tuesday that the USS Cole and the USS Bulkeley fired roughly a dozen interceptors during Iran’s bombardment of Israel with almost 200 ballistic missiles. Regarding Tuesday’s unprecedented ballistic missile attack, Ryder told reporters, “You don’t launch that many missiles at a target without the intent on hitting something.”
Capt. Bill Urban, a U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa spokesperson, told Fox News on Wednesday that “multiple” missiles fired by Iran had been “successfully engaged” by the U.S. destroyers.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa shared two videos of the USS Cole and USS Bulkeley intercepting Iranian missiles during Tuesday’s attack against Israel.
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U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa tweeted, “The U.S. Sixth Fleet guided missile destroyers USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) engaged multiple Iranian ballistic missiles in defense of Israel from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, October 1, 2024.”
According to U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa, both of the U.S. destroyers are equipped with the aegis weapons system, which is specifically designed for ballistic missile defense.
Fox News reported that the USS Arleigh Burke, the USS Cole, and the USS Bulkeley have been positioned off the Eastern Mediterranean to deter potential attacks against Israel and help the U.S. ally defend its territory amid rising tension in the Middle East region.
According to Fox News, the USS Carney and the USS Arleigh Burke shot down over 81 attack drones and six ballistic missiles during Iran’s previous attack against Israel in April. During the April attack, Iran fired over 300 drones and missiles against Israel.
In a statement released by the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin confirmed that U.S. forces in the Middle East region “intercepted multiple missiles launched by Iran toward Israel” as part of America’s “commitment” to aid Israel’s defense. The secretary of defense noted that the United States condemns the “outrageous act of aggression by Iran” and urged Iran to “halt any further attacks,” including attacks by Iran-backed terrorist organizations in the Middle East.
Austin added, “Our forces remain postured to protect U.S. troops and partners in the Middle East, and the Department maintains significant capability to defend our people, provide further support for Israel’s self-defense, and deter further escalation.”
