US ambassador to Israel says Israel sent Iron Dome batteries, personnel to UAE to defend country

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel sent Iron Dome anti-missile batteries and unit to run them to the United Arab Emirates to support the state during the Iran war, the U.S. ambassador to the state said Tuesday.

The comments by Mike Huckabee underline the increasing defence narration betwixt Israel and the UAE, countries agelong suspicious of Iran, arsenic a shaky ceasefire inactive holds successful the Iran war. However, the constrictive Strait of Hormuz remains successful Tehran's chokehold and negotiations betwixt the U.S. and Iran look astatine a standstill for the infinitesimal — raising the hazard of the struggle breaking retired again.

Huckabee, a Baptist minister, erstwhile politician of Arkansas and one-time statesmanlike candidate, made the remark connected signifier astatine an lawsuit successful Tel Aviv, Israel.

“I’d similar to accidental a connection of appreciation for United Arab Emirates, the archetypal Abraham accord member,” Huckabee said astatine the Tel Aviv Conference. “Just look astatine the benefits. Israel conscionable sent them Iron Dome batteries and unit to assistance run them.”

The United Arab Emirates, a federation of 7 sheikhdoms connected the Arabian Peninsula, diplomatically recognized Israel successful 2020.

The UAE did not instantly respond to a petition for remark implicit the acknowledgment by Huckabee.

Huckabee added that helium was “very optimistic” that further countries successful the portion volition soon articulation the Abraham Accords, the 2020 diplomatic designation woody that besides included the Gulf Arab kingdom of Bahrain, for ceremonial relations with Israel.

However, galore Arab states stay incensed by Israel's wide-ranging subject campaigns aft Hamas' 2023 onslaught connected the country, which has seen the Gaza Strip leveled and Iran's allies attacked crossed the wider Mideast. Israel present controls territory successful Lebanon and Syria arsenic well.

“The Gulf states present understood they volition person to marque a prime — is it much apt they volition beryllium attacked by Iran oregon Israel?" Huckabee asked. "They spot that Israel helped america and Iran attacked us. Israel is not trying to instrumentality implicit your land, and is not sending missiles to you.”

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