US risking its troops' lives by deploying them to 'Israel': Iran FM

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 Oct 2024 16:02

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf calls on states for an immediate halt to all forms of cooperation with the Israeli occupation regime.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi speaks during a joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart Fouad Hussein during his visit to Baghdad, Iraq, on Sunday, Oct.13, 2024. (AP)

The United States is "putting the lives of its troops at risk" by deploying them to "Israel" to operate US missile defense systems, warned Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

"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," Araghchi wrote in a post on X.

The US has been delivering record amount of arms to Israel. It is now also putting lives of its troops at risk by deploying them to operate US 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… pic.twitter.com/wX16CnhT1A
— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) October 13, 2024

The top Iranian diplomat highlighted that the US has supplied unprecedented amounts of arms to the Israeli occupation entity during its ongoing war on the Gaza Strip.

His warning comes amid reports that the US is considering deploying its advanced THAAD missile defense system to "Israel" in anticipation of a potential Iranian retaliation with ballistic missiles to an expected Israeli strike on Iran.

It is noteworthy that the THAAD system requires the presence of US personnel on the ground to operate.

The Times of Israel cited a US official as saying that Washington is considering deploying an advanced anti-ballistic missile defense system, operated by American troops, to "Israel" in anticipation of a potential Iranian response.

Israeli media reported over the weekend that the US may send Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) air defense batteries to bolster "Israel's" defenses against ballistic missiles, particularly as factions of the Axis of Resistance have launched several missile attacks on Israeli targets in recent months.

A US official told The Times of Israel that the Biden administration is exploring the possibility of transferring the systems to "Israel", though no final decision has been made.

According to a report by the Congressional Research Service in April, the US Army currently has seven THAAD batteries.

The system complements the Patriot defense system but offers a broader defense range, capable of intercepting missiles at distances of 150-200 kilometers (93-124 miles).

Each battery generally includes six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, radio, and radar equipment and requires a crew of 95 soldiers to operate.

Last year, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of a THAAD battery, along with additional Patriot battalions, to various locations across the Middle East to enhance the protection of US forces and support Israeli defenses.

"As we have stated so many times, we are fully prepared for any situation and scenario. Nobody wants war in the region except the Zionist regime," Araghchi stressed Sunday upon his arrival in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.

The Iranian Foreign Minister paid tribute to the late General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, both of whom were martyred in a US drone strike at Baghdad airport in early 2020.

Before his visit to Iraq, Araghchi had traveled to Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. He also accompanied President Masoud Pezeshkian on a state visit to Turkmenistan.

As part of his ongoing diplomatic engagements, Araghchi is also scheduled to visit Oman following his trip to Iraq.

All forms of cooperation with 'Israel' must end: Ghalibaf

In a related context, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called on states to immediately halt all forms of cooperation with the Israeli occupation regime.

Speaking at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Summit and during an emergency session of the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States (PUIC) held in Geneva on Sunday, Ghalibaf underscored the need to stop any form of assistance, dialogue, or political and economic engagement with "Israel".

"Before attending PUIC, I went to Beirut to carry with me and convey the voice of oppression and Resistance of the Lebanese people to Geneva," he said.

Ghalibaf expressed Iran's readiness to "help create a common security understanding about this historical danger of the Zionist regime."

"Any kind of cooperation, aid, dialogue and political and economic project with the Zionist regime must be stopped,” the Iranian official underlined.