Israel transferred Iron Dome missile defense systems along with personnel to the United Arab Emirates during the recent conflict with Iran, according to U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, highlighting the deepening security cooperation between the two countries.
The disclosure points to expanding military coordination between Israel and the UAE, both of which view Iran as a major threat, as a fragile ceasefire in the conflict continues to hold.
Despite the pause in fighting, tensions remain high. The Strait of Hormuz continues to be under significant Iranian influence, and talks between the United States and Iran have stalled, raising concerns that hostilities could resume.
Huckabee made the remarks during a public appearance at a conference in Tel Aviv, noting the growing benefits of regional partnerships.
“I’d like to say a word of appreciation for United Arab Emirates, the first Abraham accord member,” Huckabee said at the Tel Aviv Conference. “Just look at the benefits. Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them.”
The United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven emirates in the Arabian Peninsula, formally established diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords.
UAE officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Huckabee’s remarks.
Huckabee also expressed confidence that more countries in the region may soon join the Abraham Accords, the normalization framework that also included Bahrain when it was signed in 2020.
Still, opposition to Israel remains strong across parts of the Arab world, particularly following its extensive military operations after the Hamas-led attack in 2023. Those operations have resulted in widespread destruction in Gaza and strikes against Iranian-aligned groups across the Middle East, while Israel has also taken control of areas in Lebanon and Syria.
“The Gulf states now understood they will have to make a choice — is it more likely they will be attacked by Iran or Israel?” Huckabee asked. “They see that Israel helped us and Iran attacked us. Israel is not trying to take over your land, and is not sending missiles to you.”
{Matzav.com}