Pentagon: A Group of American Soldiers Arrived in Israel to Launch the THAAD System

Pat Ryder, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, announced in a statement that a group of American military experts arrived in Israel on October 15 to launch the advanced THAAD missile defense system. The Pentagon spokesperson added that initial components needed to operationalize this advanced ballistic missile defense system were also sent to Israel with this group. According to the Pentagon spokesperson, more American soldiers along with additional THAAD missile defense system components will be transferred to Israel in the coming days. Pat Ryder emphasized that this system will be fully operational in the near future but refrained from providing details about the exact timing of its operational readiness for security reasons. The Pentagon spokesperson mentioned that the deployment of the THAAD system in Israel is a sign of America's commitment to defend Israel and American citizens residing in Israel against ballistic missile attacks from the Islamic Republic. Amid ongoing speculation about a retaliatory attack by Israel against the Islamic Republic, the U.S. Department of Defense announced on Sunday that, at the direction of Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense, a THAAD missile defense system and accompanying military personnel are being sent to Israel to operationalize and utilize this system. The statement referenced the unprecedented attacks on Israel by the Iranian government on April 14 and October 2, adding that THAAD will strengthen Israel's integrated air defense system. The U.S. Department of Defense described this action as a demonstration of the United States' ironclad commitment to defend Israel and Americans living in Israel against any further attacks from the Islamic Republic using ballistic missiles, noting that this action is part of changes in the U.S. military posture in recent months to counter attacks from the Iranian government and its affiliated militias against Israel and Americans. The Department of Defense also recalled that last year, following a terrorist attack on October 7, 2022, a THAAD battery was sent to the Middle East at the direction of President Joe Biden. The Islamic Republic of Iran launched an unprecedented attack on April 14, firing approximately 320 projectiles towards Israel, the majority of which were intercepted and destroyed by a coalition of the U.S., U.K., France, Jordan, and Israel before reaching Israeli airspace. On October 2, the Iranian government also fired over 180 ballistic missiles at Israel in response to what it called the killing of Hamas, Hezbollah leaders, and a senior commander of the Quds Force by Israel. Senior Israeli officials have stated that this attack by the Islamic Republic will not go unanswered. American officials say that Israel has limited its targets for attacking Iran. American senators have called for increased pressure on the U.S. government to counter Iran's oil and arms sales. The White House, following new U.S. sanctions against the Islamic Republic, stated that it had warned Iran. CNN reported that Iran is concerned about an Israeli attack and is seeking diplomatic assistance from regional countries. The Pentagon stated that the U.S. is prepared to counter potential attacks from the Islamic Republic and its proxies.