U.S. military forces are actively assisting Israel in shooting down Iranian missiles and drones launched in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, senior U.S. officials confirmed on Friday.
“Yes, the U.S. is assisting in shooting down missiles targeting Israel,” a U.S. defense official told Newsweek.
Another official emphasized the U.S. commitment to protecting American interests, stating, “There are hundreds of thousands of American citizens and other American assets in Israel, and the U.S. is working to protect them,” Fox News reported.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a large-scale operation, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” late Thursday night, targeting over 200 sites across Iran, including nuclear facilities, senior military leaders, and nuclear scientists. The strikes, which continued into Friday afternoon, reportedly killed three key Iranian figures, escalating tensions in the region.
Iran responded with “Operation True Promise III,” launching over 100 drones and fewer than 100 ballistic missiles toward Israel, according to the IDF. Most were intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems, with U.S. support, or failed to reach their targets. Iraq and Jordan reported Iranian drones crossing their airspace, but Israel said the drones were neutralized outside its borders.
U.S. Navy destroyers USS The Sullivans and USS Arleigh Burke, positioned in the Eastern Mediterranean, are aiding Israel’s defense efforts, Fox News reported. U.S. Army units are also deploying Patriot PAC-3 missiles and Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) systems to intercept incoming threats, officials told Fox News. A regional security source indicated Iran’s third wave of missile launches concluded Friday.
The IDF reported minimal damage, with most missiles intercepted or malfunctioning. However, some missiles have impacted Tel Aviv, and residents were urged to stay in shelters as air raid sirens sounded across the country.
BREAKING: Iranian missiles have made impact in Tel Aviv as Israel's air defense system fails to intercept all of the missiles.
Residents have been told to remain in bomb shelters. pic.twitter.com/TuIgcIGNrc
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 13, 2025
President Donald Trump met with his national security team in the White House Situation Room on Friday to monitor the crisis. He publicly called on Iran to negotiate a deal to avoid further escalation, a sentiment he echoed after Iran announced its withdrawal from nuclear talks with the U.S. in response to Israel’s strikes.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the U.S. was not involved in Israel’s offensive strikes, describing them as a “unilateral action” deemed necessary by Israel for self-defense. Rubio warned Iran against targeting U.S. interests or personnel.
The U.S. has previously supported Israel during Iran’s “Operation True Promise I” and “II” in April and October 2024, part of a cycle of retaliatory attacks tied to the broader Israel-Hamas conflict, fueled by Iran’s backing of the Axis of Resistance coalition. Israel’s latest operation marks the most significant escalation yet, raising fears of a wider regional conflict.