Tehran, Iran – In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi has issued a stark warning that the deployment of U.S. troops to Israel to operate American missile defense systems would jeopardize their safety. This statement comes in the wake of reports confirming Washington's decision to send its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system to Israel, necessitating U.S. personnel for its management. Araghchi took to social media on Sunday, highlighting the unprecedented military support the United States has provided to Israel.
Citing figures that show U.S. military assistance to Israel set to reach a record $17.9 billion in 2024, he emphasized the implications of such actions, stating, "The US has been supplying Israel with record levels of arms." The Iranian Foreign Ministry has yet to respond to queries regarding Araghchi's comments, which have been widely disseminated by Iranian state media. The situation is further complicated by ongoing hostilities in the region, as Israel is widely believed to be considering military action against Iran in response to a recent missile barrage.
This marks the second direct attack on Israeli territory during the current Israel-Hamas conflict, which has also drawn in Iranian-backed militant groups from Lebanon and beyond. The THAAD system, designed to intercept and destroy incoming ballistic missiles, is viewed as a critical component of Israel's defense strategy in light of Iran's missile capabilities. On October 1, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched nearly 180 missiles targeting Israeli positions, claiming the strikes were retaliation for recent assassinations of regional leaders and Israeli military actions against Lebanese and Palestinian factions.
In response to the escalating threats, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned Iran's missile attack as a "grave mistake" and vowed retaliation, signaling a potentially dangerous cycle of conflict in the region. Araghchi also stressed Iran's commitment to defending its interests and people, stating, "We have no red lines when it comes to defending our people and our interests," as tensions continue to mount between the two nations amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. With the Pentagon's confirmation of the THAAD deployment, the stakes have never been higher, and the potential for an escalation in violence looms large over the region.
