Pentagon officials have described Iran's attack on Israel as more extensive than the attack in April.

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said U.S. destroyers fired approximately 12 missiles to intercept Iranian missiles. This fact was revealed according to Sky News.

Iran carried out an attack on Israel on October 1, 2024, which was twice as powerful as the previous attack in April. The main goal of this strike was to cause massive destruction.

“You can’t fire that many missiles at a target without intending to hit something. Therefore, absolutely, like last time, their intention is to cause destruction,” the Pentagon spokesman said.

Iran fired about 500 ballistic missiles during the Oct. 1 attack, according to the Jerusalem Post. At the same time, the IDF noted that they observed 180 attack targets in the air.

In a previous attack in 2024, Iran launched 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles at Israel. Major General Ryder stressed that US destroyers actively took part in repelling the attack, firing about a dozen missiles to intercept Iranian missiles.

There are currently 3 US guided missile destroyers off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea: USS Arleigh Burke, USS Cole and USS Bulkeley. The Pentagon noted that only 2 ships responded to the Iranian attack on October 1.

It was also known that on October 1, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin held talks with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant for the second time. During the conversation, Austin reaffirmed US support and said the US is strengthening its position in the Middle East region to protect US forces and Israel from threats from Iran and its supported terrorist organizations.