Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh on Wednesday dismissed the advanced missile defense system the United States is deploying in Israel as “psychological warfare” that does little to strengthen Israel's defenses against Iranian missiles.
Nasirzadeh is mention The addition to the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, the Pentagon confirmed on Monday, is on the way to strengthening Israel's already strong missile defenses.
The first team of U.S. military personnel arrived in Israel on Monday to begin installing the system. The Pentagon declined to discuss a “timetable” for when the batteries would be fully operational.
“The deployment of a THAAD squadron to Israel underscores the United States' commitment to the defense of Israel and the protection of American citizens in Israel from ballistic missile attack by Iran,” Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Tuesday.
Nasirzadeh dismissed the THAAD deployment as an empty gesture that would do nothing to blunt Iranian retaliation if Israel chooses to respond to Iran's final ballistic missile attack. This attack was almost completely intercepted by Israeli defenses even without THAAD.
“We believe that such measures by the enemy are in line with psychological warfare. There is nothing wrong with it. None of the threats by the Zionist regime are new,” the Iranian defense minister said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Wednesday, said UN Secretary-General António Guterres said Tehran was “fully prepared to respond firmly and deploring any adventurism by the Zionist regime.”
Iranian officials and state media talk funny claim Their missile strikes were a devastating blow to the “Zionist regime” and Israel will face even harsher punishments if it dares to retaliate. In fact, almost all of Iran's weapons were shot down by Israel's three-tier interception system: long-range Arrow, medium-range David Sling, and short-range Iron Dome.
Unlike the totally ineffective barrage launched by Iran in April, some of the missiles in the early October attack succeeded in causing minor damage, raising the possibility that Israel would strike back this time. . The Biden administration has so far scramble The aim is to appease and intimidate Israel from attacking important Iranian targets, such as oil fields and Iran's illegal nuclear program.
On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: reportedly Agreed to leave Iran's most sensitive targets intact. Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israel's response would target Iran's “military infrastructure.” No timeline for a response has yet been suggested.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel's response would be “precise, painful and surprising” but would be tailored to avoid “new fronts and new conflicts.” He said it would be.
of washington post on tuesday quotation U.S. and Israeli officials say Netanyahu wants to avoid any response to Iran that could be seen as influencing the U.S. presidential election, such as blowing up Iranian oil fields and triggering a global oil crisis. He said that
These officials described the THAAD deployment as a positive reinforcement that would soften Netanyahu's stance on retaliating against Iran.
“An attack on oil infrastructure could lead to a spike in energy prices, while an attack on nuclear facilities could escalate the fighting and invite US involvement.The US is not satisfied with either outcome. voters could voice their dissatisfaction at the polls, hurting Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and helping Republican Donald Trump.” era of israel guessed.
defense news on tuesday quotation Military experts say deploying THAAD squadrons to Israel would place a material and human burden on U.S. air defense forces, which are already operating at a very high pace thanks to the Ukraine war, so it would be a small investment. Said it was not a problem.
“Everyone wants a U.S. Army air defense force. This is our most deployed formation,” said Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George.
