Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the United States will deploy High-Altitude Area Defense ( THAAD ) to "defend" Israel . The pentagon also announced that it will send troops to operate it, in a bid to bolster Israel's air defence after Iran 's attack.
President Joe Biden also confirmed that the US was sending the system "to defend Israel."
Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden.
Ryder said the system will help bolster Israel's air defenses following Iran’s missile attacks on Israel in April and October.
“This action underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran,” Ryder said.
"It is part of the broader adjustments the US military has made in recent months, to support the defense of Israel and protect Americans from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias," Ryder added.
The American move comes even as Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi warned earlier that the United States was putting the lives of its troops "at risk by deploying them to operate US missile systems in Israel."
"While we have made tremendous efforts in recent days to contain an all-out war in our region, I say it clearly that we have no red lines in defending our people and interests," Araqchi said.
However, this will the first time the US has deployed a THAAD battery to the Middle East. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the US sent additional Patriot battalions to strengthen defenses for its forces in the region. Previously, in 2019, the US deployed a THAAD battery to Israel for training.
An April report from the Congressional Research Service shows that the US Army operates seven THAAD batteries. Each typically includes six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, and radar and communication systems, requiring 95 soldiers for operation. While the THAAD system complements the Patriot, it covers a larger area, intercepting targets within a range of 150 to 200 kilometers (93 to 124 miles).
In April, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel. On October 1, during heightened conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran escalated the situation by firing over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel. Although many of the missiles were intercepted, some managed to bypass Israel’s missile defense systems.
President Joe Biden also confirmed that the US was sending the system "to defend Israel."
Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden.
Ryder said the system will help bolster Israel's air defenses following Iran’s missile attacks on Israel in April and October.
“This action underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran,” Ryder said.
"It is part of the broader adjustments the US military has made in recent months, to support the defense of Israel and protect Americans from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias," Ryder added.
The American move comes even as Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araqchi warned earlier that the United States was putting the lives of its troops "at risk by deploying them to operate US missile systems in Israel."
"While we have made tremendous efforts in recent days to contain an all-out war in our region, I say it clearly that we have no red lines in defending our people and interests," Araqchi said.
However, this will the first time the US has deployed a THAAD battery to the Middle East. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the US sent additional Patriot battalions to strengthen defenses for its forces in the region. Previously, in 2019, the US deployed a THAAD battery to Israel for training.
An April report from the Congressional Research Service shows that the US Army operates seven THAAD batteries. Each typically includes six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, and radar and communication systems, requiring 95 soldiers for operation. While the THAAD system complements the Patriot, it covers a larger area, intercepting targets within a range of 150 to 200 kilometers (93 to 124 miles).
In April, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel. On October 1, during heightened conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iran escalated the situation by firing over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel. Although many of the missiles were intercepted, some managed to bypass Israel’s missile defense systems.
