The United States has announced the deployment of troops and an advanced anti-missile system to Israel in response to recent missile attacks attributed to Iran. President Joe Biden stated on Sunday that this action is intended to bolster Israel’s defense capabilities as the country contemplates its response to Iran following a significant missile strike on October 1, when Iran launched over 180 missiles toward Israeli territory.
U.S. officials are advising Israel to carefully calibrate its response to avoid escalating tensions and triggering a larger conflict in the Middle East. Biden has expressed concerns about potential Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and has cautioned against attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure.
According to Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder, this troop deployment is part of broader military adjustments by the U.S. aimed at supporting Israel and safeguarding American personnel from threats posed by Iran and its allies. While military assistance to Israel is common, direct troop deployments are relatively rare, given Israel’s strong military capabilities.
The deployment includes the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, which requires around 100 personnel to operate. The THAAD system features six truck-mounted launchers, each equipped with eight interceptors and advanced radar technology, enhancing Israel’s existing air defense against ballistic missile threats.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araqchi, criticized the U.S. deployment, asserting that it endangers American troops and warning that Iran will vigorously defend its interests. Despite this, analysts suggest that Iran is likely to avoid direct confrontation with the U.S., making the presence of American forces in Israel a critical element in its strategic considerations.
The Pentagon has not disclosed a specific timeline for the THAAD deployment, which had previously been stationed in southern Israel during drills in 2019. Developed by Lockheed Martin, the THAAD system utilizes advanced radar technology built by Raytheon to counter short- to intermediate-range ballistic missile threats.
