U.S. military helped shoot down Iranian missiles heading to Israel - U.S. official

U.S. military helped shoot down Iranian missiles heading to Israel - U.S. official

In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, the U.S. military has confirmed its involvement in shooting down Iranian missiles that were headed towards Israel. The incident occurred on Friday, June 12, 2025, following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities and military targets [1].

The U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that the U.S. military was not involved in the initial Israeli strikes but did participate in defensive actions to protect Israel from potential Iranian retaliation [2]. The official emphasized that the U.S. top priority is to safeguard American forces in the region and prevent any escalation that could threaten U.S. interests.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had earlier reported that they had launched a preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear program and military capabilities, including the capital, Tehran. The strikes reportedly killed Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, the head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps [3]. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the goal of the operation was to damage Iran's nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile factories, and military capabilities [4].

The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, confirmed that the U.S. was not involved in the strikes but emphasized that Israel's action was deemed necessary for its self-defense [5]. Rubio also warned Iran not to target U.S. forces or interests in the region.

The incident has raised concerns about potential further escalation in the Middle East conflict. The U.S. involvement in shooting down Iranian missiles underscores the complex dynamics of the region and the role of the United States in maintaining stability.

References:

[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/12/israel-attacks-iran-tehran-explosions/
[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/12/israel-attacks-iran-tehran-explosions/
[3] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/12/israel-attacks-iran-tehran-explosions/
[4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/12/israel-attacks-iran-tehran-explosions/
[5] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/12/israel-attacks-iran-tehran-explosions/