The US has not decided to deploy a missile defense system in Israel.
The Pentagon said the US has not yet made a decision to deploy the THAAD missile defense system in Israel.
According to RIA Novosti on October 13, a Pentagon official representative told RIA Novosti that, at this stage, the US has not made a decision regarding the possibility of deploying the THAAD missile defense system in Israel to intercept ballistic missiles from Iran.
“No decision on this matter has been made yet,” a US defense official said.
On October 12, Israeli TV Channel 12 reported, without citing sources, that the US intends to deploy THAAD systems in Israel in preparation for a potential new attack by Iran. Many speculate that these systems will be serviced by US military personnel in Israel. At the same time, it did not specify the specific number of missile defense systems in question.
The US has consulted with Israel on how to respond to Iran's October 1 missile attack. US officials have said they do not want Israel to target Iranian nuclear or oil facilities. In a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on October 10, US President Joe Biden said Israel should only retaliate "proportionately".
Meanwhile, an Israeli official said on October 12 that the Israeli security cabinet had yet to make a decision on how to retaliate.
According to Reuters, the Iranian government is making urgent diplomatic efforts with Middle Eastern countries, hoping they can restrain Israel's retaliation against Tehran.
Iran is particularly interested in getting help from Saudi Arabia in preventing an Israeli attack and using its influence with the US to help find a solution to the crisis.
