Iran's Defense Minister Nasirzadeh Is Not Worried About The US-Sent Anti-THAAD Defense System To Israel
JAKARTA - Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh is not concerned about sending an anti-missile defense system at the High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) from the United States to Israel, saying it was part of a psychological war.
"THAAD is not a new problem," he said, adding it was considered part of Israel's psychological war on Iran, as quoted by IRNA October 16.
Earlier, the US announced it would send advanced anti-missile systems and a number of troops to Israel preparing to retaliate against Iran.
The decision was announced just hours before Hezbollah's drone strike on an Israeli base killed four soldiers and injured 61 others without triggering a warning.
"THAAD is not an anti-ballistic cyst. It's not something new and has been around before," he said as reported by Mehr.
THAAD typically requires about 100 troops to operate, and has six launchers installed in trucks, with eight interceptors at each launcher, as well as a powerful radar. The system is capable of intercepting ballistic missiles at a distance of 100 to 125 miles.
Retired Brigadier General Zvika Haimovich, Israel's former head of Air Defense, said the country expects an even larger series of missiles from Iran in the "next stage" after Tehran fired more than 180 missiles at Israel on October 1.
He said Israel needed THAAD as well as its Iron Dome defense system, to confront any attack, and the latest barrier in Israel's defense would come as the country considers its response to Iran's attacks.
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"You always need more power," Haimovich told NBC News.
In Tehran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, responded to news about THAAD warning that the US was putting its troops' lives "at risk" by deploying them to operate missile systems in Israel.
"Although we have made tremendous efforts in recent days to withstand the war all-out on our territory, I clearly say that we have no limits in defending the people and our interests," wrote Foreign Minister Araqchi in X.