The United States said on Sunday it will deploy U.S. troops and an advanced anti-missile system to Israel, in a rare move aimed at strengthening Israel’s air defences following a series of missile attacks by Iran.
The Pentagon confirmed the deployment, in order “to help bolster Israel's air defenses following Iran's unprecedented attacks”.
On October 1, Iran launched over 180 missiles at Israel, intensifying the conflict between the two nations. As Israel contemplates retaliation, the U.S. has been urging caution, with officials advising against actions that could spark a wider war in the Middle East.
Publicly, Biden has expressed concerns over an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear facilities or energy infrastructure, fearing it could exacerbate the situation.
Despite Israel’s robust military capabilities, the deployment of U.S. troops directly to Israel remains a rare occurrence, typically only seen during joint military drills. U.S. forces have previously aided Israel from positions outside its borders, such as via warships and fighter jets stationed in the Middle East.
The system being deployed, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), is a key element of U.S. missile defense technology, complementing Israel's existing anti-missile systems.
The THAAD battery, which usually requires around 100 troops to operate, includes six truck-mounted launchers, each equipped with eight interceptors, and a sophisticated radar system. It is specifically designed to intercept short, medium, and intermediate range ballistic missiles.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reacted to the U.S. deployment, warning that the presence of U.S. troops in Israel puts them at risk.
In a statement on social media, he said, “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.”
The U.S. has not yet specified how soon the THAAD system will be operational in Israel, though it was last deployed to the country in 2019 during joint military exercises.
Lockheed Martin, a leading U.S. defense contractor, manufactures and integrates the THAAD system, while Raytheon, under RTX, provides the advanced radar that powers its missile detection capabilities.