Israel Fight Iran, US Sends THAAD Missile Defense System “/>
PENTAGON said the United States (US) would deploy an advanced anti-missile system to Israel to help its key ally amid rising tensions with Iran.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries and US military personnel to Israel to help strengthen Israel’s air defenses against similar attacks on April 13 and October 1.
“The THAAD battery will augment Israel’s integrated air defense system. This action underscores the United States’ strong commitment to Israel’s defense and to defending American citizens in Israel from further ballistic missile attacks by Iran,” Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said in a statement at the President’s briefing. US Joe Biden.
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The announcement came two weeks after Iran fired a barrage of missiles at Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders as well as an Iranian general.
Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have vowed to retaliate, sparking fears of a full-blown regional war in the Middle East.
Earlier this month, Biden suggested that Israel refrain from attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities or oil fields. But the Israeli government has repeatedly opposed the warnings.
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It is unclear when the US THAAD system will be deployed to Israel. An unnamed US official told CBS News that about 100 troops would be sent to the country.
Earlier on Sunday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that Washington was endangering the lives of its troops by deploying them to operate US missile systems in Israel.
“Even though we have made extraordinary efforts in recent days to contain all-out war in our region, I say clearly that we have no red lines in defending our people and interests,” Araghchi wrote on social media.
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Although the US says it supports diplomacy and de-escalation in the region, critics note that Washington offers unwavering military and diplomatic support to Israel.
The US provides Israel with at least US$3.8 billion in military aid every year. The Biden administration has authorized $14 billion in further aid to its allies since the Israeli military began its war on the Gaza Strip in October last year.
Israel has also recently expanded its bombing campaign in Lebanon, after exchanging fire with the Lebanese Hezbollah group on the Israel-Lebanon border for months.
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As tensions continue to rise, the Biden administration has rejected calls to delay arms shipments to Israel and pressured the country to end the wars in Gaza and Lebanon.
Israel already uses three integrated missile defense systems to intercept rockets and missiles fired at the country.
However, the THAAD system that the US will deploy to Israel has a wider range than other systems. (Aljazeera/Z-2)
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