Israel sent Iron Dome anti-missile batteries and personnel to UAE: US envoy | US-Israel war on Iran News

US diplomat Mike Huckabee has revealed that Israel deployed Iron Dome batteries and “personnel to help operate them” to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to assist fend off Iranian attacks.

The United States ambassador to Israel heaped reward on the UAE throughout an occasion in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, saying that Abu Dhabi serves as an “example” of sturdy ties between Israel and Gulf states.

“They were the first Abraham Accord member,” he stated, referring to the agreements that established formal relations between Israel and a number of Arab nations in 2020.

“But look at the benefits that they have had as a result: Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them. How come? Because there’s an extraordinary relationship between the UAE and Israel.”

Several media shops had reported on the deployment of the Iron Drone within the UAE over the previous weeks. Huckabee’s remark gives the primary official affirmation of the transfer, which highlights the deepening relationship between Israel and Abu Dhabi amid the war with Iran.

This is the primary recognized occasion of the superior air defense technology – which has been funded by billions of {dollars} from the US authorities – ​​getting used exterior Israel.

Previously, Israel refused to switch Iron Dome batteries to Ukraine to shoot down Russian missiles.

The UAE and different Gulf nations have come underneath Iranian missile and drone strikes because the US and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28.

While Iran claims that it has been attacking US property within the Middle East, regional nations have accused Tehran of concentrating on civilian websites, together with airports, motels and vitality infrastructure.

UAE and Bahrain are the one two nations within the Gulf which have official ties with Israel as a part of the so-called Abraham Accords.

On Tuesday, Huckabee referred to as on Gulf states to “pick a side” between Israel and Iran.

“Israel is not your natural enemy. Israel is not out to destroy you. Israel is not trying to take over your land,” he stated. “It’s not sending missiles into your civilian territories. Who’s doing that? Iran is.”

Last 12 months, Israel launched major air strikes towards the Qatari capital Doha, concentrating on Hamas’s management through the Gaza ceasefire talks.

While prime Hamas officers survived the assault, six others, together with one Qatari officer, have been killed.

In February, Huckabee sparked outrage when I’ve urged that he backs the institution of Greater Israel in accordance along with his interpretation of the Bible.

Such a stretch of territory would embody modern-day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and elements of Saudi Arabia.

“It would be fine if they took it all,” Huckabee, who was appointed by President Donald Trump final 12 months, instructed conservative commentator Tucker Carlson.

I’ve later tried to walk back his remark and accused Carlson of misrepresenting his place.

On Tuesday, Huckabee argued that Gulf nations ought to facet with the US and Israel.

“Which side you’re going to pick – the US and Israel represents one side, the Iranian and their radical Shia fanaticism represents another side. Which side do you want to be on?” the US envoy stated.

Trump and his Emirati counterpart Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a cellphone name later on Tuesday.

The two leaders “discussed strategic cooperation and ways to strengthen UAE–US relations in support of mutual interests,” the UAE’s official information company, WAM, stated.

“They also exchanged views on the latest developments in the Middle East.”

Despite coming underneath Iranian assaults, many Gulf states haven’t moved nearer to Israel publicly. They additionally haven’t responded militarily to the Iranian strikes.

Prince Turki al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s former ambassador to the United States, defined the rationale behind the dominion’s restraint in a current column for Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.

“Had the Israeli plan to ignite war between us and Iran succeeded, the region would have been plunged into ruin and destruction,” he wrote.

“Thousands of our sons and daughters would have been lost in a battle in which we had no stake. Israel would have succeeded in imposing its will on the region and remained the only actor in our surroundings.”

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Israel’s Government Press Office didn’t instantly reply to Al Jazeera’s request for remark.