US military helped stop Iranian missiles heading to Israel, officials say
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Rocket trails in the sky above Netanya, Israel, on June 13, after Iran fired a salvo of missiles in retaliation for an earlier attack on its nuclear facilities and top military commanders.
PHOTO: AFP
WASHINGTON – The US military has helped shoot down Iranian missiles that were headed towards Israel, two US officials said on June 13.
One of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said that for now, the US interceptions had been carried out by ground-based systems.
The official said fighter jets and warships had not been used so far.
Neither official provided information on where the US interceptions took place from.
The United States has nearly 40,000 troops in the Middle East, including air defence systems, fighter aircraft and warships that can help bring down missiles.
During previous Iranian missile and drone salvos that were aimed at Israel, the US military has used jets and Navy warships to help shoot down Iranian projectiles. REUTERS