 "Iran attack effect: US deploys anti-missile defence system THAAD in Israel")
Amid the anticipated Israel-Iran confrontation, the United States has deployed the anti-missile defence system THAAD in Israel.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday (October 21) said that the THAAD missile defence system was “in place” in Israel.
While Austin did not say the THAAD system was operational, he said that “we have the ability to put it into operation very quickly and we’re on pace with our expectations”.
The THAAD stands for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system. It is manufactured by the Lockheed Martins. It is used for defence against short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats. It is the only US system designed to intercept targets both outside and inside the atmosphere.
Last week, the Joe Biden administration of the United States announced the deployment of THAAD in Israel to help the nation defend against a possible Iranian barrage. For weeks, Israel is expected to attack Iran in response to the Iranian ballistic missile attack earlier this month. To beat back the subsequent Iranian retaliation, the United States has deployed THAAD in Israel.
Ahead of the confirmation of THAAD’s deployment in Israel, the Biden administration said that “the deployment of the THAAD battery to Israel underscores the United States’ commitment to the defense of Israel and to defend Americans in Israel” against Iranian aggression.
At the same time, speaking to reporters in Ukraine on Monday, Austin said that the Biden administration will do “everything we can” to reduce tensions in the region.
“At the end of the day, that’s an Israeli decision [about the attack on Iran], and whether or not the Israelis believe it’s proportional and how the Iranians perceive it, I mean those may be two different things. We’re going to do — continue to do — everything we can… to dial down the tensions and hopefully get both parties to begin to deescalate. So, we’ll see what happens,” said Austin.
Impact Shorts
View AllEven though Israel has a multi-layered defence network including Iron Dome, Arrow, and David’s Sling systems, the United States has bolstered Israel’s defensive capabilities with THAAD to minimise the damage that an Iranian barrage may cause. The United States is leading a defensive coalition of European and Arab nations, involving the United Kingdom, France, Jordan, and occasionally the Saudi Arabia, that help beat back the Iranian attacks on Israel.
 "Zelenskyy calls Alaska summit ‘personal victory’ for Putin, says it delays sanctions, ends Russian leader's isolation")
 "National Guard moves into DC as Trump’s law-and-order push sparks backlash from mayors")
 "Perplexity offers $34.5bn for Google’s Chrome in bid to challenge search dominance")
 "Foreign ministers of 25 countries urge Israel to let aid into Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens")
 "Zelenskyy calls Alaska summit ‘personal victory’ for Putin, says it delays sanctions, ends Russian leader's isolation")
 "National Guard moves into DC as Trump’s law-and-order push sparks backlash from mayors")
 "Perplexity offers $34.5bn for Google’s Chrome in bid to challenge search dominance")
 "Foreign ministers of 25 countries urge Israel to let aid into Gaza as humanitarian crisis deepens")
