The strikes were carried out in “self defense,” the Pentagon said.

They came after missiles targeted the USS Mason off the coast of Yemen on Sunday and again Wednesday — but missed it and hit the water instead. Two missiles were launched within 60 minutes of each other on Sunday when the warship was in international waters.

The guided-missile destroyer deployed defensive measures and was not damaged, said Capt. Jeff Davis, a Pentagon spokesman.

The ship was fired on again Wednesday while conducting routine operations in international waters off the Red Sea coast of Yemen, according to the Pentagon.