JERUSALEM,— U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Tuesday that Israel sent an Iron Dome air defense battery and military personnel to the United Arab Emirates to help operate the system during the conflict with Iran, Reuters reported.

Huckabee made the remarks during the Tel Aviv Conference in Israel, where he praised ties between Israel and the UAE under the Abraham Accords signed in 2020.

“Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them,” Huckabee said at the event, adding that the move reflected the close ties between the two countries under the Abraham Accords.

Huckabee, a Baptist minister, former Arkansas governor and former U.S. presidential candidate, described the UAE as the first member of the Abraham Accords and highlighted growing cooperation between the two countries.

In April, according to Axios, Israel transferred an Iron Dome system to the UAE early in the war with Iran. The report cited two Israeli officials and one U.S. official. The Jerusalem Post later confirmed the report, saying Israeli troops were also sent to assist with operating the defense system.

Iran has targeted the UAE repeatedly since the start of the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran on February 28, 2026, according to the report. Attacks reportedly continued during the current ceasefire.

Senior Emirati official Anwar Gargash, an adviser to the UAE president, said on March 17 that Iranian attacks against Arab neighbors would deepen relations between Israel and Arab countries that maintain diplomatic ties with Israel.

Emirati defense officials said Iran launched thousands of missiles and drones toward UAE territory during the fighting.

Earlier this month, the Financial Times reported that Israel also deployed a version of its Iron Beam laser based air defense system to the UAE to strengthen protection against Iranian missile and drone strikes during recent hostilities.

The UAE has continued facing missile and drone attacks after the ceasefire and has been working to reassure investors and residents that the country remains secure and open for business.

(With files from Reuters, AP, Agencies)

Copyright © 2026 Dubai Diplomacy. All rights reserved.

Your support matters! Consider buying us a coffee — every bit helps keep independent news alive.

Related posts:

UAE gets Israeli laser system to counter Iranian missiles and drones: FT Israel deployed “Iron Dome” in UAE during Iran war: reports Emirati official calls for closer Israel ties, criticizes Arab states Saudi-UAE rift widens as Emirates quits oil cartel UAE denies Netanyahu visit or Israeli military officials: ministry Israel’s Mossad chief David Barnea visited UAE during Iran war: WSJ Israel’s Netanyahu met UAE president secretly during Iran war: PM office Israel’s Netanyahu calls UAE president, condemns Iran attack: wam