Fact Check: "A U.S. official confirmed to ABC News that the U.S. was assisting in shooting down missiles targeting Israel."
What We Know
On June 13, 2025, a U.S. official confirmed to ABC News that the United States was indeed assisting Israel in intercepting missiles that were targeting the country. This assistance involved both land and sea military assets, specifically mentioning the deployment of U.S. Navy destroyers in the eastern Mediterranean. These destroyers were reportedly moved to the region as a precaution following an Israeli attack on Iran, which had prompted retaliatory missile launches from Iran towards Israel.
The situation escalated as Iran launched "dozens of missiles" in response to Israeli military actions, and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that some of these missiles were intercepted with the help of U.S. military capabilities (ABC News).
Analysis
The claim that the U.S. is assisting Israel in shooting down missiles is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The primary source, ABC News, is a well-respected news organization known for its journalistic integrity and reliability. The information was provided by a U.S. official, which adds a layer of credibility to the claim, as it comes directly from a government source.
Furthermore, the context of the claim is supported by the ongoing military tensions in the region, particularly the escalation following Israel's strikes on Iranian targets. The involvement of U.S. military assets, including destroyers equipped with missile defense systems, aligns with the U.S. government's historical support for Israel, particularly in times of conflict (NBC News).
While there may be varying opinions on the geopolitical implications of U.S. military involvement in the region, the factual basis of the claim—that the U.S. is assisting in missile defense for Israel—is corroborated by the statements made by U.S. officials and reported by reputable news outlets.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that a U.S. official confirmed to ABC News that the U.S. was assisting in shooting down missiles targeting Israel is accurate. The confirmation comes from a credible source and is supported by the context of ongoing military actions and U.S. military deployments in the region.
