On Sunday 13th of October, the US government announced that it will deploy an advanced anti-missile system to Israel, along with approximately 100 American troops to operate it. The move aims to reinforce Israel’s air defence as missile strikes from Iran intensify.President Joe Biden confirmed the decision, stating that the deployment is meant to safeguard Israel. Reports indicate that the troops will be responsible for operating the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system, which will work alongside Israel’s existing air defence network.
Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder highlighted the importance of this action, stating, “This deployment is a key part of recent U.S. military adjustments aimed at defending Israel and ensuring the safety of American personnel from threats posed by Iran and its allies in the region.”
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi responded by warning that the presence of US troops in Israel puts their lives in danger. He also accused the US of escalating tensions by bringing its military directly into the conflict.
Araqchi further wrote a tweet on his X handle, emphasizing that while Iran is trying to avoid a full-scale war, they will not hesitate to defend their people and interests. “We have no red lines when it comes to protecting our nation,” he stated.
The conflict between Israel and Iran has been escalating since April when Iran first launched missile and drone strikes. The situation worsened in October when Iran fired over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel, many of which were intercepted, though some managed to breach Israel’s defenses. With the deployment of THAAD, the US hopes to further strengthen Israel’s ability to defend against future missile threats as tensions continue to rise in the region.
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