Israeli Transport Minister Miri Regev confirmed that Israel stationed an Iron Dome missile defense system battery in the United Arab Emirates at the start of the war against Iran.
In an interview with Army Radio, the minister explained that the Emirates views Iranian ballistic missiles as one of the main threats to its security. This is the first time a member of the Israeli government has publicly acknowledged the operation.
However, this information was already confirmed in May by the US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee after revelations by the American media Axios. According to this information, Israel also sent soldiers to ensure the operation of the system on site.
Israel-UAE: moving train
During the war between Israel, the United States and Iran, the United Arab Emirates was the main target of Iranian strikes in the region. According to the UAE Ministry of Defense, some 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 2,200 drones were launched against the country, more than against Israel.
This military cooperation illustrates the strengthening of strategic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates since the Abraham Accords in the context of growing regional threats posed by Iran and its allies.