US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced on Tuesday that Israel has sent Iron Dome anti-missile batteries and personnel to the United Arab Emirates to defend the country during the Iran war. The comments underscore the deepening defense relationship between Israel and the UAE, both long wary of Iran, as a fragile ceasefire holds in the conflict.
Strategic Cooperation Amid Tensions
Speaking at the Tel Aviv Conference, Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and Baptist minister, expressed appreciation for the UAE as the first Abraham Accord member. "Just look at the benefits. Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them," he stated. The UAE, a federation of seven sheikhdoms, normalized relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords.
The Strait of Hormuz remains under Iranian control, and US-Iran negotiations appear stalled, raising the risk of renewed conflict. Huckabee expressed optimism that more regional countries would join the Accords, which also include Bahrain.
Regional Dynamics and Reactions
The UAE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Many Arab states remain angered by Israel's military campaigns following Hamas' 2023 attack, which devastated Gaza and targeted Iran's allies across the Middle East. Israel now holds territory in Lebanon and Syria.
Huckabee posed a rhetorical question: "The Gulf states now understand they will have to make a choice - is it more likely they will be attacked by Iran or Israel?" He added, "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."
