Amid mounting tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the United States has deployed a second Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system to Israel, bolstering the country’s aerial defence capabilities following a spate of missile attacks.
According to reports, the latest battery was delivered on Friday, with flight tracking data confirming the arrival of a US Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy transport aircraft—the largest in its fleet—at Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel. The aircraft reportedly remained on the ground for nearly eight hours before departing.
The deployment comes as Washington strengthens its military posture in the region, responding to recent missile threats from Iran and its allied groups. The THAAD system, designed to intercept short- and medium-range ballistic missiles at high altitudes, has recently been used to counter missile strikes launched from Yemen by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The Pentagon did not issue an official statement on the transfer, but defence analysts cited by local media confirmed that the battery was being stationed as part of a broader US-Israel defence cooperation framework.
The United States had previously deployed a THAAD battery to Israel last year. Around 100 American personnel are believed to be operating the system, which complements the existing Patriot batteries by extending Israel’s missile interception range to approximately 150–200 kilometres.
The development follows a sharp escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran. After a wave of missile attacks on Israeli territory attributed to Tehran, the Israeli Air Force launched retaliatory strikes targeting Iranian air defences and key components of its ballistic missile infrastructure.
According to Israeli defence officials, the strikes focused on missile factories, storage depots, launch platforms, and scientific facilities believed to be linked to Iran’s nuclear weapons programme.
Tensions have also risen diplomatically, with US President Donald Trump issuing a stern warning to Tehran last week. “Bombing” and “secondary tariffs” were among the measures threatened by the White House if Iran failed to reach a new agreement with Washington on its nuclear programme.
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