US President Joe Biden has approved the delivery of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and associated crew of U.S. military personnel to Israel.
THAAD would complement Israel’s missile defense systems and is specifically designed to deter Iranian missile attacks, according to the Pentagon.
Iran’s expanded missile attacks follow Israel’s military operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
“This action underscores the United States' ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran,” said the Pentagon. “It is part of the broader adjustments the U.S. military has made in recent months, to support the defense of Israel and protect Americans from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias.”
THAAD’s delivery follows increased missile attacks against Israel from Iran and its Middle Eastern proxies.
President Biden’s approval of THAAD also followed a conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the former several days prior.
Vice President Kamala Harris also joined the conversation, in which the Biden-Harris administration reassured prime minister Netanyahu of the US’ commitment to defending Israel.
According to the White House, Biden and Harris “affirmed Israel’s right to protect its citizens from Hezbollah, which has fired thousands of missiles and rockets into Israel over the past year alone, while emphasizing the need to minimize harm to civilians.”
Vice President Harris, however, has recently employed a milder tone when speaking of the US’ relation to Israel vis-a-vis the latter’s military operations in Gaza and southern Lebanon.
For example, Harris has suggested she will continue pressuring Israel to compromise with Hamas leadership to reach a ceasefire and hostage swap deal.
Harris’ comments parallel her recent efforts to gain Muslim-American leaders’ support.
In recent weeks, Harris has been reportedly courting US Muslims to boost her suffering approval rating within the US’ Muslim minority.
