The Pentagon announced on Sunday that U.S. troops will deploy to Israel to operate a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. This marks the first deployment of American combat troops on Israeli soil since the conflict began last year.
Pentagon Press Secretary Major General Pat Ryder confirmed that the THAAD battery and its associated crew of U.S. military personnel would be stationed in Israel to enhance the country’s air defenses. This decision comes in response to Iran’s recent missile attacks on Israel, notably on April 13 and October 1, when around 200 ballistic missiles targeted Israeli military sites.
Ryder noted that President Joe Biden ordered this deployment, despite earlier statements indicating no plans for U.S. ground troops in combat roles. “The THAAD system will bolster Israel’s defenses at a critical time,” Ryder stated, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced protective measures in light of the growing threat from Iran.
The THAAD system is a sophisticated mobile anti-ballistic missile defense technology designed to intercept and destroy incoming missiles during their descent phase. Each THAAD battery is equipped with six truck-mounted launchers capable of firing a total of 48 interceptors and operates with a crew of 95 soldiers.
This deployment follows previous U.S. military actions in the region, including the placement of a THAAD battery in Saudi Arabia after the onset of the Israel-Hamas war last year. However, this will be the first time the system and its operators are stationed in Israel during the current conflict.
The backdrop to this military action is a volatile geopolitical landscape. Following the missile attack on October 1, which Iran characterized as a “legitimate” response to the assassination of key Hamas and Hezbollah leaders, Israel is anticipated to retaliate against Iranian oil and nuclear infrastructure. Despite these looming attacks, the U.S. has advised Israel to reconsider its military response, warning that Iranian retaliation is likely.
Iran has made its position clear, with Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stating that the U.S. is endangering the lives of its troops by deploying them in Israel. He emphasized Iran’s readiness to defend its interests, asserting that “we have no red lines” when it comes to national defense.
