The United States has dispatched 10,000 Merops interceptors to the Middle East as part of efforts to counter Iranian drone attacks. This deployment follows the commencement of a U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran on February 28, as reported by Bloomberg, citing U.S. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
According to Driscoll, the drones, equipped with artificial intelligence technology, were delivered to the region within five days of the operation’s initiation. The Merops drones are developed by Project Eagle, a defense venture supported by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. These drones were previously tested in Ukraine starting in 2024.
The cost of a single Merops interceptor ranges from $14,000 to $15,000, but bulk orders can reduce the price to between $3,000 and $5,000. This pricing is significantly lower than Iranian Shahed drones, which are estimated to cost at least $20,000 each.
“We are actually on the better end of the cost curve. Every time Iran launches a drone that we shoot down, they incur a substantial loss,” Driscoll stated.
The introduction of these interceptors may alter the U.S. and Israeli approach to air defense, which has traditionally relied on systems such as Patriot and THAAD, where the cost of a single missile can exceed $4 million.
In addition to the Merops, the U.S. military has also deployed Coyote interceptors from RTX Corp. and Bumblebee quadcopters designed to neutralize hostile drones. The Bumblebee system, manufactured by Perennial Autonomy, was procured by the U.S. Army in January 2026 under a $5.2 million contract.
Previously, former U.S. President Donald Trump had asserted that the U.S. did not require assistance from Ukraine in defending against drone threats. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that Ukraine is already collaborating with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE to counter Iranian drone activities.
Military Operation Against Iran
On February 28, Israel conducted an attack on Tehran, prompting Trump to announce that U.S. forces had initiated a “major combat operation” against Iran aimed at eliminating perceived threats from the Iranian regime. He accused Iranian authorities of funding and training militants in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Hamas in Palestine, stating that the operation’s goal is to dismantle Iran’s missile industry and fleet, thereby preventing regional destabilization.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for launching missiles and drones toward Israel, as well as attacking U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
In light of the U.S. military operation, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent United Nations Security Council meeting. The European Union reiterated its commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Zelensky emphasized the importance of providing Iranians with the opportunity to rid themselves of a “terrorist regime” and to ensure safety for all nations affected by Iranian attacks.
On March 1, the IRGC announced the initiation of the “most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and U.S. military bases. Trump urged the Iranian regime to abandon these plans, threatening a “very strong response.”
On March 2, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the next phase of the military operation against Iran would be even more devastating.
On March 6, Trump called for a complete change in Iran’s leadership, stating he had several candidates in mind for a “good leader.” On March 8, Iran’s Council of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the third supreme leader of the Islamic Republic.
Trump declined to comment on Mojtaba Khamenei’s election, simply stating, “We’ll see what happens.” He had previously suggested that the new Iranian leader would not last long without the approval of the White House.
The U.S. has deployed 10,000 Merops drones to the Middle East to counter Iranian threats, marking a shift in military strategy. This follows escalating tensions and recent attacks by Israel on Iran, as the U.S. seeks to enhance its air defense capabilities in the region.