Because the missiles were part of a US $7.4 billion arms package approved by Congress in February, the transfer required no new notification.

The US military is helping intercept missiles that Iran fired in retaliation at Israel, a US official says. The US has been moving assets nearer to Israel to assist in missile intercepts and to provide better protection of US bases in the region.

The Israel Defense Forces announced Friday that more than 100 Iranian drones were launched toward Israel in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes earlier in the day targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.