The U.S. is stressing that it is fully ready to intercept a North Korean missile, should one be launched toward U.S. territory.

U.S. Pacific Commander Timothy Keating told a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Friday that it is highly probable the U.S. military would be capable of intercepting a missile launched by North Korea. Keating made the statement in response to reports that North Korea seems to be stepping up preparations for a satellite launch early next month.

Meanwhile, Commander of U.S. Forces in Korea, Army General Walter Sharp, told the same hearing that the North’s missile threat “is real” and called on Pyongyang to refrain from such provocative acts.

According to Sharp, North Korea is now fielding a new intermediate-range ballistic missile capable of striking Okinawa, Guam and Alaska, and continues to develop and mature systems with intercontinental range capabilities.