US to send troops and complex defense system to Israel despite Iranian threat

The United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery and troops to Israel. The Pentagon made the announcement Sunday, shortly after Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel.

Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden.

Ryder said the air defense system will help bolster Israel’s air defenses following Iran’s missile attacks on Israel in April and October.

The THAAD is a defensive system that shoots down incoming ballistic missiles.