The United States announced on Sunday that it will send troops to Israel along with an advanced anti-missile system to strengthen the country’s air defenses following missile attacks from Iran. President Biden stated the deployment aims to “defend Israel,” which is considering retaliation after Iran launched over 180 missiles on October 1.
The U.S. has been urging Israel to calibrate its response to prevent escalating the conflict, with Biden opposing attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites and energy infrastructure. Pentagon spokesperson Major General Ryder described the deployment as part of recent military adjustments to support Israel and protect U.S. personnel from Iranian threats.
Deploying U.S. troops to Israel is uncommon due to Israel’s military capabilities. Previously, U.S. forces assisted from outside Israel during Iranian attacks. The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, which requires about 100 troops, enhances Israel’s anti-missile defenses.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned that the U.S. deployment jeopardizes its troops and stated that Iran would defend its interests without red lines. Despite tensions, experts believe Iran aims to avoid direct conflict with the U.S.
Iran has previously launched missiles at Israel, with recent escalations occurring in April and October. U.S. officials have not disclosed how quickly the THAAD system will be deployed, but it was last in Israel for drills in 2019.
