US Navy intercepts Iranian missiles launched against Israel
2 warships fire interceptors
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Iran launched a barrage of approximately 200 ballistic missiles targeting Israel on October 1, 2024. While most of these missiles were intercepted before reaching their destination, some caused minimal damage, according to statements made by the Pentagon.
Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder condemned the Iranian attacks, calling them “reckless”, and urged Iran to cease further assaults, including those conducted by proxy forces.
“During the attack, the US military coordinated closely with the Israeli Defence Forces to help defend Israel,” Ryder stated during a news briefing in Washington DC late on October 1.
Watch the Pentagon news briefing video here:
The Iranian missile onslaught was nearly double the scale of a similar attack that occurred in mid-April. As in the earlier incident, US naval assets stationed in and around the Middle East region played a crucial role in countering the threat.
Two US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, the USS Cole and USS Bulkeley, stationed in the Eastern Mediterranean, fired a dozen interceptors in response to the incoming missiles.
French support
France also confirmed that its naval assets in the region were used to thwart the Iranian missile attack.
Ryder provided initial assessments indicating that all missiles were launched directly from Iran, emphasising that the attack was planned with the intent to inflict substantial damage on Israel.
“You don’t launch that many missiles at a target without the intent of hitting something,” he remarked, adding that Iran’s objective appeared to be to cause destruction. Fortunately, Israel’s robust air defence capabilities, bolstered by US support, helped mitigate the attack’s impact.
Preliminary reports suggest that Israel successfully defended against the majority of the missile threat, resulting in only minimal damage on the ground. Additionally, Ryder confirmed that no US personnel were injured during the incident.
In a show of solidarity, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin maintained direct communication with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, speaking with him multiple times both before and during the attack.
Ryder reiterated the US’s “ironclad commitment to the defence of Israel,” highlighting that American forces remain well-positioned throughout the Middle East to counter threats from Iran and its affiliated terrorist organisations.
Featured image: Credit: Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder briefing the news media on October 1, 2024. Credit: Pentagon
Last Updated on 2 months by Arnold Pinto
