US deploys additional THAAD missile defense battery to Israel ahead of possible Iran strike

The United States recently deployed an additional Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel along with two Patriot batteries, Israeli security sources confirmed to Israeli media outlets on Sunday. 

According to an earlier report by Saudi news channel Al-Hadath, the deployment was made amid increasing regional tensions, including the ongoing U.S. operations against the Houthis in Yemen, and in the shadow of President Donald Trump's threats about a possible attack on Iran's nuclear facilities if the regime continues to reject negotiations over its nuclear program.

Before the Al-Hadath TV report, aircraft tracking websites noted the arrival of a U.S. Air Force cargo transport plane to Israel’s Nevatim Air Base from Germany. The C-5M Super Galaxy, the U.S. Air Force’s largest transport plane, remained at the base for about eight hours before taking off. 

The THAAD missile defense system, developed by Lockheed Martin for the U.S. Department of Defense, is an advanced air defense system designed to protect against ballistic missiles. Similar to Israel's Arrow ballistic missile defense system, THAAD intercepts and destroys missiles in mid-flight.

However, unlike the Arrow, THAAD does not rely on explosives to neutralize the incoming missile. Instead, it uses the kinetic energy of impact to destroy the threat. The system is capable of intercepting missiles both inside and outside the atmosphere.

Trump’s ultimatum to Iran to reach a nuclear agreement is nearing its expiration date.

The recent visit of U.S. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Kurilla to Israel – where he met with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir – is believed to have focused, in part, on coordinating potential military action against Iran and preparing for any anticipated retaliation.

This topic will likely be raised during the meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week in Washington, D.C. 

Two THAAD missile batteries have already been deployed in Israel, following former U.S. President Joe Biden’s decision in October 2024 to send them in response to the threat of Iranian ballistic missile attack.

When that battery arrived in Israel, the former commander of the Air Defense Forces, Brig.-Gen. Zvika Haimovich said the addition of the THAAD system to Israel’s existing Arrow defense system was intended "to generate more firepower, and in the end, each such battery comes with dozens of missiles, which add significant firepower.” 

He said the extra defensive system “provides more opportunities and increases the ability to defend against Iran's powerful [attack] scenarios.” 

The THAAD system in Israel scored its first hit on Dec. 27, 2024, when it intercepted a ballistic missile launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen toward Israel.

At the end of March, the THAAD system carried out additional interceptions, successfully neutralizing two ballistic missiles launched from Yemen. Since its deployment in the region, THAAD has reportedly achieved six successful interceptions.

Each THAAD battery is operated by a small crew of U.S. military personnel, with approximately 100 American soldiers currently stationed in Israel to manage the system.

While Trump has pushed for direct negotiations with Iran over the nuclear issue, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently called such negotiations “meaningless” amid threats of an attack. 

“Direct negotiations would be meaningless with a party that constantly threatens to resort to force in violation of the UN Charter and that expresses contradictory positions from its various officials,” Araghchi said in a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry.