US steps in to help Israel intercept missiles after sitting out the Iran attack

Jet fighters, destroyers and ground-based interceptors have engaged with drones and missiles fired from Iran, tilting Washington toward more direct involvement.

Israel's air defence system fires to intercepts projectiles launched from Iran, as seen in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv. AP Photo/Oded Balilty

The US military is operating in the air, on land and at sea to shoot down Iranian missiles fired at Israel in response to its attacks on Iran’s nuclear program and military leadership, tilting Washington toward more direct involvement in the widening conflict.

Iran has fired about 200 ballistic missiles in four barrages and more than 200 drones toward Israeli territory so far in response to multiple waves of Israeli strikes, an Israeli military official said.

Before the retaliatory strikes even began, US jet fighters, navy destroyers and ground-based air-defence systems had positioned to help counter any attack, according to US officials.

The US played a central role in defending Israel from Iranian attacks last year, when the Biden administration assembled forces to contain Iran’s attacks as the longtime foes traded blows on two occasions.

In the second of those attacks, Iran fired around 200 missiles targeting Israeli military and intelligence sites. Some penetrated Israel’s antimissile defences, raising fears that another attack could inflict serious damage, particularly if it targeted civilian areas.

This time, the Trump administration has sent mixed signals about how involved the US is willing to become in a protracted Israeli war with Iran.

President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday to hold off on attacking Iran and give diplomacy a chance.

When Mr Netanyahu raised the issue of a strike again on Thursday, Mr Trump said the US wouldn’t stand in the way but wouldn’t help in the attack, officials familiar with the call said. Once it was under way, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement distancing the US from the attack.

It didn’t take long for the US to get pulled in as the fighting escalated. Mr Trump endorsed the strikes on Friday, saying they created better conditions for talks on dismantling Iran’s nuclear program. The US hasn’t openly joined offensive action against Iran.

Israeli security personnel run to take cover while missiles were launched from Iran towards Israel, in Tel Aviv. AP Photo/Tomer Appelbaum

The Pentagon is still waiting for a battlefield assessment to determine how many projectiles the US intercepted, the US officials said. A number of overnight impacts were reported around the Tel Aviv area, causing three deaths and property damage.

If the conflict between Israel and Iran deepens, the US might need to send more troops and military assets to defend Israel against retaliatory attacks. American military bases and embassies in the region, or even around the world, could be targeted by Iranian proxies.

In the hours leading up to the first Iranian retaliatory launches on Friday, one of the officials said, the Pentagon mobilised jet fighters around the Middle East to defend US troops and interests, which Tehran had threatened to target in the event of an attack.

Last year, the US used F-15E and F-16 warplanes to intercept drones launched at Israel by Iran.

US ground-based interceptors also helped defend Israel in the latest barrages, the officials said. The US operates several Patriot antimissile batteries across the region, moving them around to address perceived aerial threats. They are concentrated in Arab countries on the Persian Gulf, where the US operates sprawling military bases, as well as Jordan and Iraq.

Fire and smoke rise from a building, reportedly hit by a missile fired from Iran, in central Tel Aviv. Picture: Jack Guez / AFP

US-led coalition forces stationed at Al Asad air base in western Iraq intercepted three attack drones on Friday that were assessed to have been launched from Iraqi territory, according to a US official.

There is currently at least one Thaad advanced missile-defence battery in Israel. It was moved there during the Biden administration to augment Israel’s antimissile defence after Iranian attacks in April 2024 and last October.

A US Army THAAD launching station sits at the ready in Israel. Picture: US Army via AFP

Thaad, which stands for Terminal High Altitude Area Defence, is operated by the US Army and designed to intercept missiles inside or outside the atmosphere during the final phase of flight. A typical Thaad battery is crewed by nearly 100 soldiers and consists of six truck mounted launchers, a transportable radar and a fire-control unit.

The Thaad has been used repeatedly to intercept Houthi missiles fired at Israel from Yemen, according to Israeli officials who said it is sometimes used together with Israel’s Arrow system, which also intercepts long-range ballistic missiles.

A man walks through his destroyed home which was hit by a missile fired from Iran. Picture: AFP

Two men help an elderly lady to her seat as they all take cover in a shelter during a siren-call warning of incoming missiles from Iran in the city of Bat Yam, south of Tel Aviv. Picture: AFP

US Navy destroyers have also shot interceptors at Iranian missiles aimed at Israel this week, one of the US officials said.

When Iran attacked Israel last year, US warships in the Mediterranean shot down ballistic missiles, though the US reduced its naval presence in the Middle East after Trump announced a ceasefire with the Houthis last month.

The Wall Street Journal