TEL AVIV – In a significant move, Israel has deployed its Iron Dome anti-missile systems along with the necessary personnel to the United Arab Emirates, aiming to bolster the country’s defenses amid ongoing tensions with Iran, according to the U.S. ambassador on Tuesday.
This statement from Mike Huckabee highlights the strengthening defense ties between Israel and the UAE, both wary of Iran’s influence. Despite a fragile ceasefire in the conflict with Iran, the strategic Strait of Hormuz remains under Tehran’s control. Current stalled negotiations between the U.S. and Iran add to the potential for renewed hostilities.
Huckabee, a well-known Baptist minister and ex-governor of Arkansas who once sought the U.S. presidency, shared this information during a speech at an event held in Tel Aviv.
At the Tel Aviv Conference, Huckabee expressed gratitude towards the United Arab Emirates, noting its status as the first nation to join the Abraham Accords. “Consider the advantages,” he remarked. “Israel has provided them with Iron Dome systems and the expertise to manage them.”
Since formalizing diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020, the UAE, a coalition of seven emirates on the Arabian Peninsula, has seen a closer collaboration with its new ally.
The UAE has yet to issue a response to Huckabee’s revelation regarding the defense assistance.
Huckabee added that he was “very optimistic” that additional countries in the region will soon join the Abraham Accords, the 2020 diplomatic recognition deal that also included the Gulf Arab kingdom of Bahrain, for formal relations with Israel.
However, many Arab states remain incensed by Israel’s wide-ranging military campaigns after Hamas’ 2023 attack on the country, which has seen the Gaza Strip leveled and Iran’s allies attacked across the wider Mideast. Israel now controls territory in Lebanon and Syria as well.
“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.”
