The United States is sending one of its most advanced missile defense systems and about 100 American troops to Israel, deepening its involvement in an escalating war in the Middle East amid US expectations of an imminent Israeli attack on Iran.
The mission marks the first significant deployment of US troops to Israel since the start of the Gaza war and comes just three weeks before the US presidential election, in which US involvement in the conflict has become a polarizing issue on the campaign trail. US officials are urging Israel to avoid attacks on Iran's nuclear, oil and gas facilities over fears it could trigger an even greater escalation that would upend the global economy.
The deployment of the High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is the latest sign that the United States expects an Israeli attack to be "so comprehensive that the Iranians will have to respond," said Aaron David Miller, a Middle East expert who has advised several Republican and Democratic administrations. The THAAD deployment adds to the more than 50,000 tons of weapons and military equipment that the United States has sent to Israel since the war began last October, according to the Israeli Defense Ministry.
The deployment of the High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system is the latest sign that the United States expects an Israeli attack to be "so comprehensive that the Iranians will have to respond," said Aaron David Miller, a Middle East expert who has advised several Republican and Democratic administrations. The THAAD deployment adds to the more than 50,000 tons of weapons and military equipment that the United States has sent to Israel since the war began last October, according to the Israeli Defense Ministry.
