The U.S. Navy has positioned five guided missile destroyers capable of defending against ballistic missiles in the Mediterranean Sea as Iran ramps up retaliations against Israeli strikes on its nuclear and military facilities.

Two guided-missile destroyers based in Rota, Spain — the USS Paul Ignatius and USS Oscar Austin – entered the Mediterranean, joining three other destroyers in the region, U.S. Naval Institute News reported Friday, citing an unnamed defense official. Ship spotters observed the Paul Ignatius leaving Rota on Tuesday.

They joined the USS Arleigh Burke, USS Thomas Hudner, and USS The Sullivans, which had been operating in the eastern Mediterranean as of Monday, USNI News reported. In addition, the U.S. has two guided-missile destroyers in the Red Sea — the USS Forrest Sherman and USS Truxtun.

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