The United States will send a T erminal High Altitude Area Defense battery to Israel, along with the troops needed to operate it, the Pentagon said Sunday, even as Iran warned Washington to keep

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the United States will deploy anti-missile-defence systems to "defend" Israel.

Pat Ryder, Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin authorized the deployment of the THAAD battery at the direction of President Joe Biden. Ryder said the air defense system will help bolster Israel's air defenses following Iran’s missile attacks on Israel in April and October.

Israel has said it will respond to Iran's missile barrage, which was launched in retaliation for Israel's military operations in Gaza and Lebanon and the killings of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

U.S. officials believe Israel has narrowed down what they will target in their response to Iran’s attack, which these officials describe as Iranian military and energy infrastructure.

Israel is likely expected to strike Iranian military and energy assets in its response to the Islamic Republic's October 1 attack, according to NBC on Saturday, citing US officials. While the officials noted that Israel had "narrowed down" the objectives of its possible strike,

U.S. officials have concluded that Israel has a shortlist of military and energy sites it will target in response to Iran’s missile attack, NBC News reported Saturday, citing unnamed sources. There isn’t any sign that Israel will attack nuclear facilities or assassinate key people,