The U.S. is looking at the possibility of shooting down a future launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea, CNN reports.
The news network reported its information comes from an unnamed official who it said to be familiar with options being discussed by the Trump administration. The U.S. is deciding whether a ballistic missile fired by North Korea is enough of a threat to bring it down even if its trajectory doesn't include the U.S. or its allies, according to CNN.
Defense Secretary James Mattis said North Korea is "intentionally doing provocations that seem to press against the envelope for just how far can they push without going over some kind of a line in their minds that would make them vulnerable."
But Mattis has downplayed the possibility of shooting down North Korean missiles, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Two North Korean missiles recently flew over northern Japan. And one U.S. defense official told CNN the potential for having to consider shooting down a North Korean missile remains very real.
The news network also reported the U.S. was looking at the potential for a covert cyberattack aimed at North Korea.