WASHINGTON — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is in discussions with his counterpart in Israel after Iran fired a barrage of almost 200 missiles at the nation.
Austin received a short update from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and “is consulting closely with them on next steps,” Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters Tuesday.
Iran launched about twice as many ballistic missiles Tuesday as it did during an attack against Israel earlier this year, but it did not appear to launch drones, Ryder said.
A full assessment of Tuesday’s attack is underway, he said. The Israeli military said Iran fired 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles in the April attack.
Ryder said two U.S. Navy destroyers — the Norfolk-based USS Cole and the Rota, Spain-based USS Bulkeley — fired about a dozen interceptors to defend Israel in the latest attack.
He decried reports indicating Iran wants to de-escalate tensions in the region.
“You don’t launch that many missiles at a target without the intent on hitting something,” Ryder said.
