A THAAD air defense system. (Twitter Screenshot)
Saudi report claims US transfers multiple air defense missile battery systems to Israel amid attacks by Yemenite Houthis and against backdrop of saber-rattling between US and Iran.
By World Israel News Staff
The United States has transferred multiple advanced missile defense systems to Israel recently, a Saudi news outlet has reported, following a string of ballistic missile attacks by Houthi terrorists on Israel, and amid saber-rattling between the Trump administration and Iran, fueling concerns of a possible military confrontation.
According to a report published Saturday night by the Al-Hadath channel, the US has recently transferred to Israel a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery, along with two Patriot missile batteries. If confirmed, this would mark the second THAAD battery to be deployed in the Jewish state.
In October 2024, the Biden administration transferred a THAAD battery to Israel, along with roughly 100 US soldiers.
The anti-missile defense system, built by Lockheed Martin, uses a kinetic energy projectile to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles at altitudes of up to 150 kilometers (94 miles) and ranges of over 200 kilometers (125 miles).
Patriot missiles are effective against a wider range of targets, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and air-to-surface missiles, but have a significantly shorter range and a lower intercept altitude.
The first THAAD battery deployed to Israel has intercepted multiple ballistic missiles launched by Houthis terrorists in Yemen towards Israel since last October.
Last week, US President Donald Trump and senior Iranian leaders traded threats, after Tehran rejected an overture by Trump to engage in direct talks to achieve a new nuclear deal.
Shortly afterwards, Trump said that if no new deal was reached, the US may strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, prompting warnings by the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, against both the US and Israel.
Ahmad Vahidi ultimately became the new IRGC chief and was viewed by Israeli officials as…
Capt. Eliav Haim Tzaflamos, 21, from Haifa, was killed by the Humvee accident, three others…
One scenario being examined would have Israel take the lead in a joint military operation.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani adamantly refused to condemn or alter his Oct. 7…
Sa’ar said the diplomatic onslaught against the Jewish state is fed mainly by left-wing governments…
More than half of Israelis, both Jewish and Arab citizens, believe the war has increased…