Pentagon Deploys US Troops to Israel, Sparks Major Concerns

The Pentagon announced on Sunday that it has approved the deployment of a sophisticated antimissile system and approximately 100 American troops to Israel in anticipation of an Israeli strike on Iran, an action likely to elicit a reaction from Iran.

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the U.S. Defense Department’s press secretary, stated that under the direction of President Joe Biden, the Pentagon has sanctioned the “deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and its associated U.S. military personnel to Israel to strengthen Israel’s air defenses” following a recent Iranian ballistic missile assault.

“The THAAD Battery will enhance Israel’s integrated air defense system,” Ryder explained. “This move demonstrates the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s defense and to protecting Americans in Israel from any further ballistic missile strikes by Iran.”

This announcement from the Pentagon follows reports by The Wall Street Journal and other news agencies regarding the Biden administration’s intentions.

The exact arrival time of the U.S. troops in Israel remains undisclosed. Currently, about 40,000 U.S. soldiers are stationed throughout the Middle East.

“We risk becoming entangled in another catastrophic war that will inevitably harm innocent civilians and may cost billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars.”

On October 1, Iran launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the killings of Hezbollah’s leader and the political head of Hamas. The majority of these missiles were intercepted with assistance from the U.S., which utilized Navy-fired interceptors.

Journalist Séamus Malekafzali suggested that the deployment of U.S. troops and the THAAD system indicates that “the Israelis are clearly preparing for a scenario with Iran that will prompt a retaliation they know their own systems cannot handle.”

“The deployment of U.S. troops to Israel in this manner is monumental,” Malekafzali continued. “The U.S. military is now deeply involved in this conflict, directly, without any pretense of separation. Netanyahu is closer than ever to achieving his ultimate goal: having the U.S. confront Iran on behalf of Israel.”

On Thursday, Israel’s cabinet convened to deliberate on a possible reply to Iran’s October 1 missile salvo. An anonymous Israeli source informed The Times of Israel that “no significant decisions” were reached during the cabinet meeting. Earlier in the month, Biden told reporters that U.S. and Israeli officials were “in discussions” about potentially targeting Iranian oil facilities.

Iran has threatened a “devastating” response to any Israeli aggression.

In a statement on Sunday, progressive U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), and Greg Casar (D-Texas) declared that “military force will not resolve the challenges posed by Iran.”

“We require genuine de-escalation and diplomacy—not an expanded war,” the legislators emphasized. “Current legislation does not authorize the United States to undertake offensive military actions against Iran. We risk becoming entangled in another catastrophic war that will inevitably harm innocent civilians and could exhaust billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars.”