US troops and defence system on way to Israel

THE US yesterday announced it was sending troops and an advanced anti-ballistic missile defence system to Israel just hours after Iran warned the superpower to keep out.

- Tara Fair

The move to authorise the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery and put US boots on the ground was directed by President Joe Biden, the Pentagon said.

Major General Pat Ryder said the system would help bolster Israel's air defences following Iran's missile attacks.

He said: "This action underscores the United States' ironclad commitment to the defence of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran."

Arms

The Iranian warning came in a post on an X account long associated with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. It said: "The US has been delivering record amount of arms to Israel. It is now also putting lives of its troops at risk by deploying them to operate US missile systems in Israel."