US will send a missile defense system and troops to run it to Israel to aid defense against Iran

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States will send a T erminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it, the Pentagon said Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden. He said the system will help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s ballistic missile attacks on Israel in April and October.

The delivery of the sophisticated missile defense system risks further inflaming the conflict in the Middle East despite widespread diplomatic efforts to avoid an all-out war. The Iranian warning came in a post on the social platform X long associated with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who noted the earlier reports that the U.S. was considering the deployment.

Israeli forces and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon have been clashing since Oct. 8, 2023, when the Lebanese militant group began firing rockets over the border in support of its ally Hamas in Gaza. Late last month, Israel launched a ground invasion into Lebanon.

https://apnews.com/article/thaad-israel-missile-defense-iran-pentagon-34a0b06d82352df6cb0b80d94d4913c8

[LexVegas]

1. Thank you President Joe Biden. nt

[MarineCombatEngineer]

2. This, IMHO, is a good move,

THAAD is a purely defensive anti ballistic missile system, it's designed to intercept short and medium range ballistic missiles and destroy them before they reach their target, they're not offensive weapons.
Excellent decision by the Biden Admin.

[onandup]

3. When you see American fatalities from fighting Israel's wars

public opinion will hopefully turn more against Israel. This system will be a target.

[NickB79]

5. Houthis have already fired upon US warships in the Red Sea multiple times

Once, they activated their last defense weapons system to stop a Houthi missile strike.

If a US soldier was killed in the Middle East by a Houthi, Hamas, Hezbollah or Iranian weapon, public opinion wouldn't side with the terrorists that fired it.

[onandup]

7. Disagree. American casualties won't increase support for involvement

in this or any war. We're putting boots on the ground in a war zone. It wouldn't be an act of terror. Vulnerabilities in Israel's air defenses could discourage their efforts to escalate.

[Lurker Deluxe]

6. A target ... sure

So is that carrier group, the guided missile frigates, the air force bases. Tons of targets, all that needs be done is unzip that fly and get you some.

Going after a THAAD is not a real bright move on anyone's part, much more so to those that cannot defeat the anti-missile defenses that are already there.

Those firing the missiles randomly at Israel have but one advantage, hit and hide. That is difficult to do against the Israeli military, damn near impossible to avoid the US military response which would be faster and better targeted.

I hope they go after it ... good luck to them.

[madaboutharry]

4. This is a good thing.

Israel is an ally. This is what allies do. They provide defense systems when the other is under relentless attack simply for the “crime” of existing.

Only people who are cheering for the evil Iranian regime and the destruction of Israel and the death of Jews would have a problem with this.