The U.S. military has swiftly deployed its advanced anti-missile defense system, THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), to Israel, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The system is now “in place” and enhances Israel’s already robust air defense capabilities. Speaking to reporters before arriving in Ukraine on Monday, Austin confirmed the THAAD system’s deployment but did not specify whether it had become fully operational. He noted, however, that the system could be activated rapidly and that the deployment timeline was progressing as expected.
President Joe Biden emphasized that the deployment, along with the dispatch of roughly 100 U.S. troops, is intended to bolster Israel’s defenses. This comes as Israel considers retaliatory action against Iran after Tehran launched over 180 missiles at Israel on October 1.
U.S. officials have encouraged Israel to carefully weigh its response to prevent escalating the conflict into a broader regional war. Biden has openly opposed any Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities or its energy infrastructure, expressing concerns about further destabilizing the region.
Last week, Biden informed reporters that he had a clear sense of when and how Israel might retaliate but also hinted at a potential opportunity to de-escalate tensions between the two adversaries.
Austin remained measured in his remarks, noting, “It’s difficult to predict what Israel’s response will entail.” He added that while the decision lies with Israel, perceptions of proportionality may vary between Israel and Iran. “We will continue to do everything possible to lower tensions and encourage both sides to de-escalate. Time will tell how the situation unfolds,” Austin concluded.
