Dubai — US envoys confirms that Israel deployed Iron dome to UAE officials have publicly confirmed that Israel deployed Iron Dome anti-missile systems and military personnel to the United Arab Emirates during the recent conflict involving Iran, marking the first official acknowledgment of the Israeli defence system’s operational use inside the Gulf state.
The confirmation came from U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee during an event held in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. Speaking at the Tel Aviv Conference, Huckabee praised the growing strategic relationship between Israel and the UAE under the Abraham Accords.
“I’d like to say a word of appreciation for the United Arab Emirates, the first Abraham accord member,” Huckabee said. “Just look at the benefits. Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them.”
His remarks followed comments made a day earlier by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz, who also confirmed that Israel’s Iron Dome system had been used to intercept Iranian missiles targeting the UAE during the recent regional conflict.
The statements represent the first public official confirmation that Israeli air defence technology was deployed and actively used within the Gulf region amid rising tensions involving Iran.
The UAE, which formally established diplomatic relations with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, has steadily expanded security, economic, and technological cooperation with the Israeli government over recent years.
Analysts say the acknowledgements highlight the increasingly close defence coordination between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv, particularly in response to shared concerns regarding regional security threats.
The Iron Dome system, developed by Israel to intercept short-range rockets and missiles, has become one of the country’s most recognized defence technologies.
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Its reported deployment in the UAE signals a significant expansion of military coordination between Israel and Gulf allies.
The recent conflict involving Iran and Western allies has intensified concerns over missile attacks, maritime security, and broader instability across the Middle East, prompting several regional governments to strengthen defence cooperation and air defence capabilities.
Observers say the confirmation could further reshape regional geopolitical dynamics, especially as Gulf states continue balancing diplomatic engagement, security partnerships, and efforts to avoid wider escalation in the region.