Iran expressed strong concerns on Sunday regarding the potential presence of U.S. military personnel in Israel.
The warning was shared through a post on the social media platform X, which has been closely linked to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, an architect of Iran’s 2015 nuclear agreement with major nations.
Araghchi brought attention to the possibility of the U.S. deploying one of its advanced missile defense systems, specifically the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), to Israel, emphasizing that such an action would necessitate the deployment of troops to manage this sophisticated system.
As tensions rise, Israel has intensified its military campaigns against Hezbollah, conducting extensive airstrikes over Lebanon and embarking on a ground invasion at their shared border following a year of sporadic clashes.
Currently engaged in conflict with Hamas in Gaza, Israel finds itself battling both Hamas and its ally Hezbollah in the Lebanese theater.
According to local health sources, the ongoing military operations in Gaza have led to over 42,000 Palestinian deaths, with authorities noting a significant portion of victims being women and children, although they do not explicitly state how many of the deceased were combatants.
The violence has ravaged vast areas of Gaza, displacing approximately 90% of its 2.3 million residents, many of whom have been forced to flee several times.
This situation escalated significantly following last year’s incursion by Hamas-led militants, who breached Israel’s security barriers, flooded into military installations, and targeted agricultural lands, resulting in about 1,200 fatalities, mainly among civilians, alongside 250 abductions.
Reports indicate that around 100 of these captives remain in Gaza, with estimates suggesting that a third may have already died.
In the latest updates, Iran’s foreign minister conveyed indirect threats regarding the potential stationing of U.S. forces in Israel through an online statement made Sunday.
In this communication, Araghchi referenced the U.S. possibly relocating its THAAD systems to Israel, which would entail deploying military personnel to control the intricate defensive apparatus.
He criticized the U.S. for providing unprecedented amounts of weaponry to Israel, warning that its actions could jeopardize the lives of American soldiers by placing them in situations where they would operate missile systems in Israel.
Araghchi asserted, “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.”
Requests for additional comments from Iran’s Foreign Ministry regarding these statements have gone unanswered, although the remarks received coverage from state media within Iran.
It is broadly speculated that Israel plans to retaliate against Iran due to its missile strikes on Israeli territory earlier this month, marking Iran’s second offensive against Israel amid the ongoing war involving Hamas and other Iranian-supported factions.
The THAAD system is primarily designed to intercept ballistic missiles, such as those employed by Iran in recent attacks.
In a separate development, the Pope emphasized his stance on the need for an “immediate ceasefire” during his Angelus prayer in Vatican City on Sunday, emphasizing respect for the U.N. peacekeepers stationed in the afflicted regions.
“I continue to follow with concern what is happening in the Middle East,” he stated, advocating for diplomatic engagements and dialogue as pathways to peace.
The pontiff expressed solidarity with all impacted communities, including those from Palestine, Israel, and Lebanon, and prayed for the immediate release of victims and hostages, aiming for an end to the widespread suffering caused by cycles of hatred and revenge.