United States Navy ships located in the Mediterranean Sea intercepted Iranian ballistic missiles this Tuesday (1st), according to a US defense official.
Currently, the US has three guided missile destroyers operating in the Eastern Mediterranean. They are: USS Arleigh Burke, USS Cole and USS Bulkeley.
These American warships, used to defend other vessels against aggressors, also participated in intercepting Iran’s array of ballistic missiles and drones on April 13, shooting down several of the projectiles launched at Israel.
On Tuesday morning, the United States had warned Israel that Iran was ready to launch an attack, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Understand the conflict in the Middle East
Iran’s attack on Israel comes amid the war between the Israeli Army and Hezbollah, a Lebanese paramilitary group supported by the Iranian government.
The offensive comes one day after the Israeli Army began a “limited ground operation” in Lebanon.
Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on regions in the neighboring country. On September 23, the country had its deadliest day since the 2006 war, with more than 500 fatalities.
According to the Israeli military, the targets are members and military infrastructure of Hezbollah, one of the most powerful paramilitary forces in the Middle East and supported by Iran.
The offensive reached several points in Lebanon, including the country’s capital, Beirut. Thousands of people sought refuge in shelters and left cities in the south of the country.
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, as confirmed by the group itself.
Hezbollah and Israel began exchanging attacks after the start of the war in the Gaza Strip. The Lebanese group is an ally of Hamas, which invaded Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, killing hundreds of people and capturing hostages.
Due to the bombings, thousands of residents of northern Israel, where the border with Lebanon is located, had to be displaced. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has promised several times to return these citizens to their homes.
On September 17, Israel added the return of these residents as an official war objective.
At least two Brazilian teenagers died in the attacks. Itamaraty condemned the situation and called for an end to hostilities.
With the increase in hostilities, the Brazilian government announced an operation to repatriate Brazilians in Lebanon.
This content was originally published in US Navy ships intercepted Iranian missiles, says defense official on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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