U.S. Naval Destroyer and Air Defense Systems Intercept Iranian Missiles Aimed at Israel
US air defenses & Navy destroyer aided Israel in intercepting Iranian missiles. USS Hudner deployed, fighter jets patrol Middle East as 40K troops reinforce region amid escalating Israel-Iran conflict.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – American air defense systems and a U.S. Navy destroyer played a pivotal role in helping Israel intercept multiple ballistic missiles launched by Iran on Friday, following Israel’s wide-scale military operation targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and senior commanders.
U.S. officials confirmed to The Times of Israel that both Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems — stationed across the Middle East — were used to intercept several Iranian projectiles as they crossed into Israeli airspace. In addition, a Navy destroyer operating in the eastern Mediterranean successfully downed incoming Iranian missiles.
The U.S. Department of Defense has also ordered the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, equipped with advanced missile interception capabilities, to move from the western to the eastern Mediterranean. A second destroyer has been directed to reposition closer to the region, making it available for immediate deployment should the White House issue further instructions.
Reinforcements and Precautionary Measures
In anticipation of further escalation, U.S. fighter jets are now conducting patrols across Middle Eastern airspace to protect American personnel and infrastructure. Additional security protocols have been implemented at regional air bases, officials said to Israel Times.
The moves come amid heightened tensions following Israel's unprecedented military action on Iranian soil. President Donald Trump convened his National Security Council on Friday to discuss further strategic options, while U.S. forces continue to reposition assets and increase defensive readiness.
According to AP citing U.S. sources, nearly 40,000 American troops are currently deployed in the region — up from the usual 30,000 — a level last seen in October amid tensions with Iran and maritime threats in the Red Sea by the Iran-aligned Houthi group in Yemen.
The Pentagon maintains that other naval assets, including the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier currently stationed in the Arabian Sea, are also within reach for rapid deployment if necessary.
Strategic Deterrence
The latest U.S. military movements underscore Washington’s commitment to regional stability and defense coordination with allies, particularly as Iran’s missile retaliation raises fears of a broader confrontation.
The officials, who spoke to The Times of Israel on condition of anonymity, noted that military dependents had already been authorized to voluntarily depart from regional bases ahead of Friday’s missile barrage as a precautionary measure.
While the Pentagon has not formally commented on the full scale of its regional repositioning, the rapid response reflects Washington’s acute awareness of the threat dynamics following Israel’s strikes and Tehran’s vow of retaliation.
