The United States has deployed two additional Patriot batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, one to each country, to protect key oil and gas industry facilities, Axios reports.
The decision comes as Washington prepares for a potential resumption of large-scale military operations against Iran.
The new Patriot batteries were transferred to the region from other U.S. commands. At the same time, demand for these systems, and especially for their interceptor missiles, has reached such a level that their redeployment raises questions about the ability of U.S. forces to maintain the necessary level of readiness in other theaters.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar fear that if the U.S. attacks Iran again, Tehran will retaliate against the energy infrastructure of countries providing military and logistical support to Washington. Back in August, leaders from both nations tried to persuade Trump to forgo attacking Iranian energy infrastructure, precisely because of the risk of retaliation.
Now, Washington is attempting to mitigate that risk by deploying additional air defense systems.
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
Washington refuerza con sistemas Patriot la defensa de instalaciones energéticas del Golfo ante una posible ofensiva contra Irán
ReplyDeleteEstados Unidos trasladó dos baterías adicionales de misiles Patriot: una a Arabia Saudí para cubrir una instalación petrolera y otra a Catar para proteger infraestructura de gas natural, informaron fuentes estadounidenses y regionales citadas por Axios.