Israel sends Iron Dome battery, staff to aid UAE tackle Iran strikes
Israel's Iron Dome defense system intercepts rockets over its airspace, Nov. 5, 2023. (Getty Images Photo)


U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Tuesday that Israel has sent an Iron Dome air defense battery and personnel to the United Arab Emirates to help the country defend against Iranian strikes.

"Israel just ⁠sent (the UAE) Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help them operate them. How come? Because there’s an extraordinary relationship between the UAE and Israel based on the Abraham Accords," Huckabee said at an event in Tel Aviv, referring to a 2020 deal ⁠that ⁠saw Israel establish ties with the UAE.

A source briefed on the matter told Reuters that Israel had sent air defense systems to the UAE to help it defend against Iranian attacks during the war.

Iran has targeted ⁠the UAE more than any other country since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war with ​Iran on Feb. 28 and has continued to ​launch attacks during the current truce.

Senior Emirati official Anwar ⁠Gargash, ‌an ‌adviser to the country's president, ⁠said on March 17 ‌that Iranian attacks on its Arab neighbors ​would strengthen relations ⁠between Israel and those Arab ⁠states that have diplomatic ties with ⁠Israel.