The USS Cole was one of two U.S. Navy destroyers that helped defend Israel during a ballistic-missile attack by Iran on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (U.S. Navy)

WASHINGTON — Two Navy destroyers helped defend Israel against a barrage of nearly 200 ballistic missiles launched Tuesday by Iran as the Middle East teeters on the brink of a regional war.

The USS Bulkeley and USS Cole joined Israeli air defense units in firing about a dozen interceptors to shoot down inbound Iranian missiles, according to Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the top Pentagon spokesman. He did not confirm how many missiles were successfully shot down by the Navy destroyers, stating the situation was still being assessed. Both destroyers are deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean.

“We have been closely consulting with Israel for a while now to be prepared in the eventuality. As today demonstrated, we were prepared,” Ryder said.

Iran’s attack follows Israel’s killing of several Hezbollah leaders including its top leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The barrage of missiles targeted Tel Aviv and other central parts of Israel. Tuesday’s attack included about twice as many missiles as Iran’s April 13 attack on Israel, Ryder said.

There has been one reported death — a Palestinian civilian in the West Bank. No other deaths or injuries were reported so far.

No damage to U.S. military bases or assets has been reported.

“To be crystal clear, as Secretary [Lloyd] Austin has said, should Iran, its partners or its proxies target American personnel or interests in the region, the United States will take every necessary measure to defend our people separately,” Ryder said.

The move by Iran was a sharp escalation of the conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed militias Hezbollah and Hamas. The attack Tuesday comes days before the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 7 surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel. Hamas is an ally of Hezbollah and supported by Iran.

President Joe Biden earlier Tuesday directed the U.S. military to aid Israel’s defense against Iranian attacks and shoot down missiles targeting Israel. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris monitored the attack from the White House.

Damage to Israeli aircraft or strategic military assets is unknown, according to Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser.

“Based on what we know at this point, this attack appears to have been defeated and ineffective. This was first and foremost the result of the professionalism of the [Israel Defense Forces], but in no small part, because of the skilled work of the U.S. military and meticulous joint planning in anticipation of the attack,” he said.

In recent days, the U.S. has sent thousands of additional troops to the Middle East to boost security for American forces and help defend Israel. The additional forces include squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16, A-10 and F-22 fighter jets and the personnel needed to support them. U.S. Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, posted Tuesday on X that three additional aircraft squadrons of F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 and A-10 are arriving in the region with one squadron having already arrived.

Also in the region is the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, supported by three destroyers, and the USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, a rapid-response force from Camp Lejeune, N.C. The Wasp group includes the amphibious assault ship, dock landing ship USS Oak Hill and amphibious transport dock ship USS New York.

Austin spoke Tuesday with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant about “the threat of an imminent Iranian attack against Israel,” according to a readout of the call released by the Pentagon. The first strikes were launched by Iran about 30 minutes earlier.

“Secretary Austin made it clear that the United States is well-postured to defend U.S. personnel, allies and partners in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations and is determined to prevent any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding the conflict in the region,” the readout read.

During Tuesday’s call, Austin and the Israeli minister discussed “severe consequences” for Iran in the event that Iran chooses to launch a direct military attack against Israel.

Ryder said Austin and Gallant spoke again after Iran’s attack.

Following the attack, the White House emphasized the ongoing efforts to strike a cease-fire deal.

“The United States, through a complex combination of deterrence and diplomacy, has been able to prevent such an outbreak of full-scale war,” Sullivan said. “We will continue to try and prevent an outbreak of full-scale war in the days and weeks ahead.”

Stars and Stripes reporter Matthew Adams contributed to this report.