The United States has announced plans to send an advanced anti-missile system to Israel and deploy US troops to operate it in an effort to enhance Israel's air defenses following recent attacks by Iran. The Pentagon press secretary stated that the decision comes in response to Iran's unprecedented attacks against Israel on April 13 and October 1.
The Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, a system designed for anti-ballistic missile defense, will be deployed to Israel. This is not the first time the US has sent the THAAD system to the Middle East, as it was previously deployed to Israel in 2019 for an exercise.
The move to send additional US troops to Israel is significant given the heightened tensions between Israel and Iran. The deployment aims to help Israel better defend itself against potential future Iranian attacks, particularly in response to any Israeli strike on Iran.
US officials have been in consultation with Israel regarding how to respond to Iran's recent attack on October 1. President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of a proportional retaliation by Israel during his conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Since the attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, the US military has increased its presence in the Middle East. This includes bolstering air defenses in the region, deploying additional warships and aircraft carriers to strategic locations, and sending extra troops to Cyprus to assist with potential evacuation planning.
