THAAD system during a live-fire test on September 10, 2013 in the vicinity of the U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/ Reagan Test Site and surrounding areas in the western Pacific. U.S. Army\Missile Defense Agency
The United States may deploy a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile system along with troops to operate it in Israel to protect the country in case of an Iranian reaction to an expected Israeli reprisal attack, Hebrew media reported on October 12.
The THAAD was designed to shoot down short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase by intercepting with a hit-to-kill approach. The system can engage missile at ranges of 150-200 kilometers
Typically, each system consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio and radar equipment, and requires 95 soldiers to operate.
The U.S. military reportedly has seven THAAD systems. Last year, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of one system and additional Patriot long-range air defense systems -also capable of intercepting ballistic missiles- to the Middle East to increase the protection of U.S. forces and to aid in the defense of Israel.
A U.S. official speaking to The Times of Israel confirmed that U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration was considering transferring the systems to Israel, but said no decision had been made yet.
Iran has been bracing for an Israeli retaliation for its October 1 large-scale missile attack, vowing that it will strike back with full force.
Citing U.S. officials, NBC News reported on October 12 that Israel has narrowed down its list of possible targets for retaliation to military and energy infrastructure in Iran.
There is no indication that Israel will target nuclear facilities or carry out assassinations, the officials told the network, adding that Israel has not made final decisions about how and when to act.
Iran has sent messages to the U.S. via Qatar that it will retaliate if it is attacked, CNN reported on the same day. The network cited a deputy commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps threatening that any attack on Iranian energy infrastructure could result in Tehran targeting energy infrastructure in Israel.
CNN also reported, citing Arab officials, that Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates had informed Washington and Tehran that they would not allow Israel to use their airspace in an attack on Iran. A Jordanian official also told the network that Amman would protect its airspace from any intrusion regardless of origin.
Overall, the U.S. plans to deploy a THAAD system with its operators in Israel indicate that Washington will continue to support Israel even at the cost of engaging in a full-on war with Iran and its allies in the Middle East.
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