US to deploy anti-missile system, troops to Israel amid heightened tensions with Iran

The United States has announced plans to send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it. The deployment is intended to "defend" Israel, according to President Joe Biden. This move has been met with criticism from Iran, with Foreign Minister warning that the US is putting its troops "at risk" and urging Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel. The Pentagon has stated that the deployment will augment Israel's integrated air defense system.