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In an unprecedented move to shore up an ally’s defenses, the United States has sent an advanced anti-missile system to Israel and 100 troops to operate it, as President Benjamin Netanyahu’s government plans retaliatory strikes against Iran. We are dispatching.
The Pentagon said on Sunday that President Joe Biden authorized the Pentagon to send in Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries to “strengthen Israel’s air defenses” following two missile barrages from Iran earlier this year. announced that it had been given to
The United States also plans to send about 100 soldiers to operate missile systems inside Israel, according to U.S. defense officials. THAAD is a ground-based system designed to shoot down ballistic missiles and has a wider range of protection than the more common Patriot system.
The move came ahead of expected Israeli retaliation for Iran’s ballistic missile attack on the Jewish state on October 1. Iran launched 180 missiles in response to the assassinations of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah late last month and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July.
Although Washington supports Israel’s right to retaliate, Biden has urged Netanyahu not to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities or oil infrastructure. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant vowed that the Israeli government’s response would be “deadly, precise, and above all surprising.”
Mr. Biden and Mr. Netanyahu spoke by phone on Thursday, and the White House said the conversation included an “honest” and “productive” discussion of plans for retaliation.
Many of the Iranian missiles were intercepted, but the attack was considered much more severe than the Telegraph attack in April.
The series of retaliations caused limited damage, and the Biden administration helped de-escalate the situation as Israel responded with missile attacks on military bases near the Iranian city of Isfahan.
Analysts said the size and scope of Israel’s response to this month’s barrage will determine Iran’s response, raising concerns that the region is moving toward all-out war with counterattack after counterattack. are.
Israel’s options include targeting the Islamic Republic’s nuclear power plants, oil infrastructure and military facilities, considered the most extreme scenario.
Since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 last year sparked the Gaza war and a wave of regional hostilities, Washington has sent military ships, fighter jets, air defenses and other U.S. military equipment to help defend Israel and deter Iran. Additional troops and military equipment have been dispatched.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said the THAAD deployment underscores the United States’ “resolute commitment to the defense of Israel” and is part of broader regional changes in recent months.
Israel has its own sophisticated anti-missile defenses, including the Iron Dome, David Sling, and Arrow systems, but U.S. assistance is deemed essential to protect Israel from a barrage of large missiles and drones from Iran. has been done.
The US last sent a THAAD squadron after the attacks on October 7 last year, and in 2018 they were deployed to Israel for training and military exercises.
