Additional THAAD Battery Deployed to Israel
Aimed at Pressuring Iran and Strengthening Defense Capabilities
On the 6th (local time), according to the Arab media outlet Al-Hadath, the Donald Trump administration in the United States has reportedly deployed an additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel.
The day before, the U.S. delivered one THAAD battery and two Patriot batteries to Israel. In this regard, Israeli media reported that a large U.S. military strategic transport aircraft, the C-5M "Super Galaxy," which took off from Germany's Ramstein Air Base, landed at Nevatim Air Base in southern Israel and stayed for about eight hours.
This THAAD deployment marks the second time the U.S. has added such a system in Israel. In October last year, at the request of the Israeli government, the Joe Biden administration sent a THAAD battery including one radar and six launchers, along with approximately 100 U.S. military personnel to operate it. Israel is evaluated to have strengthened its defense capabilities through this support.
In recent weeks, Israel has clashed with Iran-aligned armed groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, reportedly using the provided THAAD system to intercept multiple ballistic missiles launched. This THAAD deployment appears to carry the intention of pressuring Iran. President Trump imposed stringent economic sanctions on Iran and even mentioned the possibility of bombing Iran if necessary.
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