US Navy destroyers shoot down Iranian missiles

The US Navy released videos on Wednesday showing two American guided-missile destroyers intercepting ballistic missiles fired 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 USS Bulkeley fired about a dozen interceptors during Iran's bombardment of Israel with nearly 200 ballistic missiles. Referring to Tuesday's unprecedented ballistic missile attack, Ryder told reporters: “You don't fire that many missiles at a target without intending to hit something.”

Capt. Bill Urban, a spokesman for U.S. Naval Forces Europe/Africa, told Fox News on Wednesday that “several” missiles fired by Iran had been “successfully attacked” by the U.S. destroyers.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, US Naval Forces Europe/Africa shared two videos of the USS Cole and USS Bulkeley intercepting Iranian missiles during Tuesday's attack on Israel.

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The US Naval Forces Europe/Africa tweeted: “The US Sixth Fleet guided-missile destroyers USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) deployed multiple Iranian ballistic missiles in defense of Israel off the Eastern Mediterranean on October 1, 2024 .”

According to US Naval Forces Europe/Africa, both US destroyers are equipped with the Aegis weapon system, which is specifically designed to defend against ballistic missiles.

Fox News reported that the USS Arleigh Burke, USS Cole and USS Bulkeley were deployed off the eastern Mediterranean to deter possible attacks on Israel and help the US ally defend its territory amid rising tensions in the Middle East.

According to Fox News, the USS Carney and USS Arleigh Burke shot down over 81 attack drones and six ballistic missiles in Iran's last attack on Israel in April. During the April attack, Iran fired over 300 drones and missiles at Israel.

In a statement released by the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed that U.S. forces in the Middle East “intercepted multiple missiles fired by Iran toward Israel” as part of America's “commitment” to support Israel's defense. The defense secretary noted that the United States condemns Iran's “outrageous act of aggression” and called on Iran to “cease all further attacks,” including attacks by Iranian-backed terrorist organizations in the Middle East.

Austin added: “Our forces remain focused on protecting U.S. troops and partners in the Middle East, and the Department continues to have significant capabilities to defend our people, further support Israel's self-defense, and prevent further escalation. “