Israel sent an Iron Dome air defense system to the United Arab Emirates early in the Iran war, as well as IDF soldiers to operate it, two Israeli officials and one U.S. official told Axios on Sunday. This major development had not been previously known.

Before the ceasefire, Iran attacked the UAE more than any other country in the region — including Israel. According to the UAE’s defense ministry, Iran had launched about 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 2,200 drones at the Persian Gulf state.

As a result of Iran’s aggression against the Gulf states, they have been moving closer to Israel, but the UAE already had strong ties with the Jewish state since the signing of the Abraham Accords. Since the Iran war, however, their military, intelligence and security cooperation has dramatically increased.

Israeli officials told Axios that after speaking to the UAE’s president, Mohammed bin Zayed, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered an Iron Dome air defense system and dozens of operators to be sent to the UAE. A senior official said that marked the first time Israel had delivered the system to another country, as well as the first time a country besides the U.S. and Israel had deployed the Iron Dome. Another official said that the battery shot down dozens of missiles during the war.

Both Emirati and Israeli officials said that the military cooperation between the two countries has reached new heights since the war with Iran. Israel deliberately targeted missile launchers in the south of Iran that were aimed at the UAE and other Gulf countries.

Given the history of hostility toward Israel, the presence of Israeli troops in the UAE could be a delicate matter — but Emirati officials are saying that Israel’s actions to protect the UAE are helping to burnish its image in the eyes of the Emiratis.

“Primarily, the United States and Israel have proved to be true allies by offering support through extensive military aid, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic backing,” wrote Tareq al-Otaiba, a former official at the UAE’s national security council.

“We are not going to forget it,” a senior Emirati official said, referring to the aid Israel provided during critical moments.

Another official remarked on this, as well as on other countries that stepped up to help, such as the U.S., France, Britain, Italy and Australia.

“It was a real eye-opening moment, to see who our real friends are,” he said.