Iran Strikes Three Countries Targeting THAAD Missile Defenses

Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE were targeted by Iranian strikes aimed at destroying U.S. THAAD missile defense systems.

According to CNN, new satellite images of several key military bases show that Iran is trying to take out U.S.-made radar systems.

THAAD uses the AN/TPY-2 radar, manufactured by Raytheon.

In Jordan, the THAAD system was stationed at the Muwaffaq Salti Airbase, which was struck by Iran. At the site of the missile defense system, burning debris is visible after the impact.

“The image shows a couple of craters near the radar, suggesting that it may have taken several attempts to hit the system, which is spread across five trailers. All of them appear to have been destroyed or severely damaged,” CNN’s analysis reports.

The THAAD radar and battery had been at Muwaffaq Salti at least since mid-February and were likely struck on March 1 or 2.

In Saudi Arabia, the Iranians hit Prince Sultan Airbase, which also houses the AN/TPY-2 radar and vehicles from the THAAD system.

Similarly, burning debris is visible at the missile defense system’s base.

In the United Arab Emirates, Iran also struck a shelter near which the AN/TPY-2 radar and vehicles from the THAAD system were stationed at Al-Ruwais Airbase. The shelter and nearby buildings were damaged by direct hits, but it is unclear whether the radar was inside the shelter or nearby at the time of the strike.

If all the attacks on the U.S. missile defense radars were successful, this could potentially lead to a significant weakening of U.S. missile defense capabilities in the region and increase the likelihood of Iranian missiles reaching their targets.

“The AN/TPY-2 radar is essentially the heart of the THAAD battery, enabling interceptor missile launches and helping to form the networked picture of air defense,” CNN noted.

Recently, an Iranian strike on Qatar damaged the U.S. AN/FPS-132 early warning radar station.