DOD wants Patriots in Iraq to protect U.S. forces from Iranian missiles

摘要

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said today the United States is working with the Iraqi government to deploy a Patriot surface-to-air missile battery capable of intercepting the type of short-range ballistic missiles Iran used to attack U.S. forces in Iraq earlier this month. "We need the permission of the Iraqis," he told reporters during a Pentagon press conference. Esper said U.S. Central Command chief Gen. Kenneth McKenzie has requested the Patriot deployment. "The commander feels he needs them," Esper said. "In this case, we support the commander, given what happened."