The US will send anti-missile systems and troops to Israel.

US President Joe Biden said the move was aimed at "protecting Israel," a country considering retaliation against Iran after Tehran fired more than 180 missiles at Israel on October 1.

Officials said the U.S. had secretly urged Israel to adjust its response to avoid triggering a wider war in the Middle East, with Biden publicly speaking out against Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear sites and expressing concern about the attack on Iran's energy infrastructure.

The US THAAD air defense system. Photo: US Army

Pentagon spokesman Major General Patrick Ryder described the deployment as part of "broader adjustments that the U.S. military has made in recent months" to support Israel and protect U.S. servicemen from attacks by Iran and Iranian-backed groups.

The deployment of U.S. troops to Israel is rare outside of military exercises. In recent months, the U.S. military has supported Israel's defenses against warships and fighter jets in the Middle East as the country has been attacked by Iran.

The Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is a crucial part of the U.S. military's multi-layered air defense system and contributes to strengthening Israel's already robust missile defense capabilities.

A THAAD system typically requires around 100 troops to operate. The system consists of six truck-mounted launchers, each with eight interceptor missiles and a powerful radar.

The Pentagon said a THAAD system was deployed to southern Israel for exercises in 2019, which was the last and only known instance of the system being deployed there.

Lockheed Martin, America's largest arms manufacturer, built and integrated the THAAD system, which is designed to shoot down short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned early Sunday that the U.S. was putting the lives of his soldiers "in danger by deploying them to operate U.S. missile systems in Israel."

"Although we have made great efforts in recent days to prevent a full-scale war in the region, I want to make it clear that we have no red lines in protecting our people and interests," Araqchi posted on X.

Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel in April. Then, on October 1, Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel amid escalating fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Many missiles were intercepted in flight, but some penetrated missile defense systems.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-se-gui-he-thong-chong-ten-lua-va-quan-doi-toi-israel-quyet-bao-ve-dong-minh-post316657.html