US to send air defence battery and troops to Israel to bolster defences

The Iranian warning came in a post on the social platform X long associated with foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, who noted reports that the US was considering the deployment.

A Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-ballistic missile defence system, like the one being sent to Israel, is displayed on the South Lawn of the White House (Alex Brandon/AP)

The United States will send a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) battery and troops to Israel, the Pentagon said on Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep American military forces out of Israel.

Major General Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that defence secretary Lloyd Austin authorised the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden.