Pentagon: US to send anti-missile system and troops to Israel
Reuters
The United States said on Sunday it will send U.S. troops to Israel along with an advanced U.S. anti-missile system, in a highly unusual deployment meant to bolster the country’s air defenses following missile attacks by Iran.
U.S. President Joe Biden said the move was meant “to defend Israel,” which is weighing an expected retaliation against Iran after Tehran fired more than 180 missiles at Israel on Oct 1.
The United States has been privately urging Israel to calibrate its response to avoid triggering a broader war in the Middle East, officials say, with Biden publicly voicing his opposition to an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear sites and his concerns about a strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure.
Pentagon spokesperson Major General Patrick Ryder described the deployment as part of “the broader adjustments the U.S. military has made in recent months” to support Israel and defend U.S. personnel from attacks by Iran and Iranian-backed groups.
10:26
US reopens Kyiv embassy after Ukraine firing of ATACMS missiles into Russia prompted potential strike threat
The United States said it had reopened its embassy in Kyiv late on Wednesday after it had shut for the day due to what it called the threat of a significant air attack, a day after Ukraine used American missiles to hit a target inside Russia.
09:34
Chinese defense minister declines meeting with Pentagon chief
China's defense minister declined a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a meeting of defense leaders in Laos, a move the Pentagon chief said on Wednesday was unfortunate.
11:05
Biden Approves Anti-Personnel Mines for Ukraine Amid Rising Tensions
Biden has approved anti-personnel mines for Ukraine to counter Russian advances. Unlike Russian mines, US mines deactivate after a set time. This follows Ukraine’s use of US ATACMS missiles, escalating the conflict.
