US Delivers THAAD Missile Defense System to Israel

Photo: A US Air Force pilot unloads a THAAD missile defense system from a C-17 Globe Master III aircraft at Nevatim Air Base, Israel, March 1. 2019

The US military rushed an advanced missile defense system to Israel and it is now “in place,” US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said, Reuters reports.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is an important part of the US military's multi-layered air defense system and complements Israel's already powerful missile defense.

“The THAAD system is in place,”– Austin told reporters on Monday, Oct. 21.

He declined to say whether it had been deployed, but added: "We have the ability to get it operational very quickly, and we are on track to meet our expectations."

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US President Joe Biden said the deployment of THAAD and the dispatch of about 100 American troops are intended to help protect Israel, which is considering possible retaliation against Iran after Tehran fired more than 180 missiles at Israel on October 1.

The US officials have urged Israel to carefully consider its response to avoid triggering a war in the Middle East. Biden has publicly opposed an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear facilities and expressed concerns about a strike on Iran's energy infrastructure.

Biden said last week that he had a good idea of ​​when and how Israel would attack Iran. But he also said he saw an opportunity to end the back-and-forth.

Austin was cautious. “It's hard to say exactly what an [Israeli] strike would look like,” the Pentagon chief told reporters. – Ultimately, this is Israel's decision. Whether the Israelis find it proportionate or not, and how the Iranians perceive it, are two different things.”.

“We will continue to do everything in our power to reduce tensions and encourage both sides to begin de-escalation,” he added.

Prepared by: Sergei Daga