Biden Orders THAAD Missile Defence to Israel After Iran Strikes
President Joe Biden has commanded Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) battery, plus US military personnel, to Israel. This bold move follows two unprecedented Iranian missile attacks on Israel this year — on April 13 and October 1, 2024.
THAAD is a high-tech missile defence system that can knock out short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Its arrival will massively boost Israel’s air defence shield against incoming threats.
US Stands Firm With Israel Amid Rising Tensions
“This action underscores the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defence of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran,” a Department of Defence spokesperson declared.
This deployment is the latest in a series of strategic moves by the US military to protect Israel and American interests in the volatile Middle East region, amid ongoing threats from Iran and its allied militias.
History of THAAD Deployments in the Middle East
America’s sentry presence isn’t new. After the October 7 attacks in 2023, a THAAD battery was rushed to the area to shield US forces and strategic assets. Back in 2019, the US also deployed THAAD to Israel for joint exercises and training, sharpening integrated missile defences.
With fresh Iranian aggression, the latest THAAD deployment sends a clear message: the US will bolster Israel’s defences and keep American personnel safe against looming missile threats.
