US Military Using More Missiles to Defend Israel Than Israel Itself

The U.S. has devoted more missile-defense resources to defending Israel than Israel has used to defend itself during the war on Iran. U.S. officials reported that the U.S. military depleted much of its missile-defense inventory after using far more interceptors than Israel used. The U.S. launched more than 200 THAAD missiles and fired over 100 Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 interceptors from naval vessels in the Mediterranean. Israel fired fewer than 100 Arrow interceptors and around 90 David’s Sling interceptors, often using the latter against rockets from Hezbollah or the Houthis while preserving higher-end interceptors. The disparity raises questions about U.S.-Israel relations and U.S. weapons use. Israel’s government has reportedly pushed for a more aggressive war posture toward Iran, including pressure to restart the conflict and suggestions of ground troop involvement.

"The U.S. is using more of its resources to defend Israel than Israel is itself, according to U.S. officials who spoke to The Washington Post on Thursday. The officials disclosed that the U.S. military has depleted much of its missile-defense inventory after using far more of the weaponry to defend Israel throughout the war on Iran than Israel has used itself."

"The U.S. has launched more than 200 THAAD missiles, approximately half of the Pentagon's total stock, as well as over 100 Standard Missile-3 and Standard Missile-6 interceptors fired from naval vessels in the Mediterranean. Israel, on the other hand, fired fewer than 100 of its Arrow interceptors and around 90 David's Sling interceptors - often firing these second-rate missiles when countering rockets fired by Hezbollah or the Houthis, and preserving its higher-end interceptors."

"This raises questions both about the U.S.'s relationship with Israel as well as the U.S.'s use of weapons throughout the war on Iran. Israel, the U.S.'s closest ally in the region since the 1979 Iranian Revolution that overthrew Iran's U.S.-backed Shah, reportedly pressured Trump to begin the war on Iran."

"Netanyahu's administration has consistently pushed for a more aggressive approach, demanding that the war resume and even suggesting the need for ground troops to invade Iran. On Tuesday, Trump and Netanyahu spoke in a " tense conversation " that highlighted their divergent views on the way forward, after Trump canceled his latest planned strikes on Iran."

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