A US warship shot down three missiles and several drones in the northern Red Sea, the Pentagon said on Thursday, adding that they were potentially headed for targets in Israel, Reuters reported.

“We cannot say with certainty what the targets of these missiles and drones were, but they were launched from Yemen, heading north across the Red Sea, potentially to targets in Israel,” Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said at a news conference. .

The Pentagon clarified that it is about the interception of three cruise missiles and several drones that were launched by the Iran-backed Houthi movement.

The destroyer USS Carney was in the northern Red Sea on Thursday when it shot down the missiles. There are no casualties.

A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it appeared the U.S. warship was not the target of the shots.

Washington is on high alert for activity by Iran-backed groups as regional tensions rise over the war between Israel and Hamas.

Last week, the United States sent a significant naval force to the Middle East, including two aircraft carriers, their support ships and about 2,000 Marines.

Although the White House says it has “no plans or intentions” to use them, US military assets are available to protect US national security interests if necessary. The United States also maintains a number of bases in the Middle East with troops, fighter jets and warships. (News.ro.)