US to send about 100 troops to operate anti-missile system in Israel as war rages on

The United States said on Sunday it will send to Israel an advanced anti-missile system – and U.S. troops to operate it – in a bid to bolster the country's air defenses following missile attacks by Iran.

U.S. President Joe Biden said he was sending the system "to defend Israel." About 100 troops will be deployed as part of the effort, according to multiple reports.

Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said the deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery would augment Israel's integrated air defense system.

"It is part of the broader adjustments the U.S. military has made in recent months, to support the defense of Israel and protect Americans from attacks by Iran and Iranian-aligned militias," Ryder said in a statement.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi warned earlier Sunday that the United States was putting the lives of its troops "at risk by deploying them to operate U.S. missile systems in Israel."

"While we have made tremendous efforts in recent days to contain an all-out war in our region, I say it clearly that we have no red lines in defending our people and interests," Araqchi posted on X.

Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel in April. Then on Oct. 1, Iran fired more than 180 ballistic missiles at Israel amid an escalation in fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. Many were intercepted in flight but some penetrated missile defenses.

Contributing: Michelle Nichols and Andrea Ricci

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US to send about 100 troops to operate anti-missile system in Israel as war rages on