PressBridge

Israel is said to have deployed its Iron Dome missile defence system to the United Arab Emirates during the initial phase of its confrontation with Iran, in a move that underscores growing military cooperation between the two nations.

According to a report citing Israeli and US officials, the decision followed a phone conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Shortly after, Netanyahu reportedly authorized the deployment of an air defence battery, including interceptor missiles and personnel to operate the system.

If confirmed, this would mark the first time the Iron Dome has been stationed outside Israel. A senior Israeli official indicated that, aside from the United States, the UAE is the only country to have hosted the system in an operational capacity on its soil.

The report further claims that the system was used to intercept numerous Iranian missiles during sustained attacks on the UAE. The Emirati Ministry of Defence stated that Iran launched approximately 550 ballistic and cruise missiles, along with more than 2,200 drones, some of which struck both military and civilian targets.

Faced with the scale of the assault, the UAE reportedly sought assistance from its allies. Israeli sources also said that the Israeli Air Force carried out strikes in southern Iran, targeting short-range missile launch sites before they could be used against the UAE and other Gulf countries.