Khaberni - The "Axios" website reported, quoting Israeli officials and an American, that "Israel" sent the "Iron Dome" air defense system to the United Arab Emirates, accompanied by military crews to operate it, during an early stage of the war with Iran. According to the report, this development reflects an unprecedented level of military, security, and intelligence cooperation between the two sides, marking a previously undisclosed operational move outside of "Israel".
In terms of political dimensions, the report mentioned that the deployment of Israeli forces on Gulf territory remains a sensitive issue, however, Emirati officials clarified that the war with Iran has altered the general mood, now positively viewing any party contributing to the country’s protection. Conversely, the site noted that Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to send a defense system abroad, under the context of "Israel" facing intense attacks, could stir domestic criticism.
The report stated that the UAE was the most exposed to Iranian attacks since the outbreak of the war; the UAE's Ministry of Defense announced that Iran had fired about 550 ballistic and cruise missiles, along with over 2200 drones, most of which were intercepted, while some hit military and civilian targets. The site quoted an Israeli official saying that the "Iron Dome" contributed to intercepting dozens of missiles, noting that the Israeli Air Force conducted preemptive strikes in southern Iran targeting short-range missile launch platforms before they could be directed towards the UAE and other Gulf countries.
Regarding the decision's background, Israeli officials explained that the intensity of the attacks prompted the UAE to request direct support from its allies, leading Netanyahu to instruct the military to send an "Iron Dome" battery equipped with interceptor missiles and dozens of soldiers, following a call with Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. A senior Israeli official pointed out that this was the first time the system was deployed in another country, and the UAE is the first country outside "Israel" and the United States where this defense system has been used.
Tareq Al Otaiba, a former official at the UAE's National Security Council, stated that "Israel" was among the countries that provided "real support" to the Emirates during the war, adding that the United States and "Israel" proved they are "true allies" through military support and intelligence sharing. The report also quoted an Emirati official affirming that his country "will not forget" this support, noting that the same assessment includes other countries that participated in defending the Emirates, such as France, Britain, Italy, and Australia, describing the phase as a "revealing moment to identify true friends."
