WASHINGTON: The United States has rushed its advanced Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system to Israel and is now in place as part of boosting air defense capabilities, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Monday.
The deployment comes as Israel prepares for a potential retaliation against Iran following Tehran’s firing of over 180 missiles at Israel on October 1.
Speaking to reporters ahead of his visit to Ukraine, Austin stated, “The THAAD system is in place.” He did not confirm if the system was fully operational but assured that it could be activated quickly. “We have the ability to put it into operation very quickly, and we are on pace with our expectations,” he added.
The THAAD system, which is designed to intercept ballistic missiles at high altitudes, is a key component of the US military’s layered air defense strategy. Its deployment to Israel includes around 100 US soldiers tasked with operating the system, signaling Washington’s strong commitment to defending its ally.
US President Joe Biden, who directed the deployment, emphasized that the move is intended to help protect Israel in light of growing tensions with Iran.
However, Biden has also urged Israel to carefully consider its response to avoid sparking a wider conflict in the Middle East. “We want to ensure that any Israeli response is calibrated to avoid escalation,” said a senior US official, noting Biden’s public opposition to a full-scale Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear or energy infrastructure.
While Biden acknowledged understanding Israel’s potential military response, he also pointed to an opportunity for de-escalation. “I believe there’s a chance to end the cycle of retaliatory strikes between Israel and Iran,” Biden said.
Austin, too, was careful in his comments. “It’s hard to say exactly what that [Israeli] strike will look like,” he said. He noted that how Israel and Iran interpret proportionality in any military action could vary greatly. “We will continue doing everything we can to dial down the tensions and hopefully get both parties to begin to de-escalate.”
Earlier, the Pentagon press secretary, Major General Patrick Ryder, stated that the THAAD deployment is meant to “augment Israel’s integrated air defense system.” This move, Ryder noted, is part of broader military adjustments by the US aimed at protecting both Israeli and American personnel from the escalating missile threats posed by Iran and its allied militias.
Meanwhile, an Iranian military source has revealed new details about the Revolutionary Guard’s missile strike earlier this month on Israeli targets.
According to Fars News Agency, Israel had relocated many of its F-35 fighter jets to neighboring countries, fearing they would be targeted.
Satellite imagery confirmed that hangars at Israel’s Negev Desert Navatim Base were hit, with at least 40 strategic locations and three F-35s damaged.
The operation, named “True Promise 2,” involved firing 200 missiles in two phases over six minutes, achieving a 90% success rate. Iranian defence expert Abdolreza Siddiq stated that Iran used less than one-fifth of its missile force in the operation, indicating its capacity to launch over 7,000 missiles within 24 hours.
Israel downplayed the strike’s impact, citing minor damage to military bases and preparing for potential retaliation. Rising tensions between the two nations have sparked global concerns about the risk of a full-scale regional war, especially if Israel proceeds with a major strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. Despite these fears, US President Joe Biden has offered reassurances against escalation.
