UPDATE - US deploys THAAD anti-ballistic missile system to Israel amid tensions with Iran: Israeli army

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By Said Amori

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli military announced Saturday that the US deployed the THAAD anti-ballistic missile defense system in Israel amid tensions with Iran.

Israeli Army Radio described the move as part of preparations for an expected Israeli response to Iran’s recent missile attack.

While it is described as the "first" such deployment, the US announced a temporary deployment of the missile defense system in March 2019 as part of joint defense exercises.

It remains unclear whether the current deployment is permanent.

Israeli Channel 12 reported that US soldiers will "manage for the first time" the batteries of the system in Israel.

THAAD, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a defensive weapon intended to intercept high-altitude short and medium-range ballistic missiles.

The manufacturer claims THAAD is the only US system designed to intercept targets inside and outside the atmosphere.

Prior to THAAD, Israeli air defenses relied on three systems: Arrow for long-range, David's Sling for medium-range and the Iron Dome for short-range -- all of which failed to intercept many Iranian missiles during the recent attack.

Iran launched an attack on Oct. 1 involving approximately 180 missiles in retaliation for the assassinations of Hamas' former political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, along with other targets, including Hezbollah's Hassan Nasrallah and a leader in the Revolutionary Guard, Abbas Nilforushan.

The Israeli army later acknowledged that the attack caused damage to some air bases, asserting that preparations for retaliation against Tehran were ongoing.​​​​​​​

Iran has defended its actions, citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, which affirms member states' right to use force in self-defense against armed attacks.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala in Istanbul