DUBAI,—Israel sent the United Arab Emirates an Iron Dome air defense system with troops to operate it early in the war with Iran, two Israeli officials and one U.S. official told Axios, and confirmed by the Jerusalem post.

The move reflected expanding military, security and intelligence cooperation between Israel and the UAE during the conflict, officials said, and the deployment had not been previously made public.

Since the start of the war, the UAE has been targeted by Iran more than any other country in the region.

Emirati defense officials said Iran launched about 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 2,200 drones at UAE territory.

Most were intercepted, though some struck military and civilian sites inside the country. The attacks led UAE officials to request help from partners.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Israel Defense Forces to deploy an Iron Dome battery with interceptors and several dozen operators after a call with Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed, Israeli officials said.

It was the first time Israel had sent an Iron Dome battery abroad, and the UAE became the first country outside Israel and the United States to operate the system, a senior Israeli official said.

A second Israeli official said the system intercepted dozens of Iranian missiles.

Israeli and Emirati officials said coordination between the two countries has been close since the war began.

Israel’s Air Force also conducted strikes on short range missile systems in southern Iran to prevent launches toward the UAE and other Gulf states.

Officials said the presence of Israeli troops in the UAE could be politically sensitive in the region.

Emirati officials said the war changed public attitudes, with one official saying those helping defend against Iranian attacks would be viewed positively.

Netanyahu’s decision to provide the system while Israel was under fire could draw domestic criticism.

Israel and the UAE signed a normalization agreement in 2020. Despite tensions over Gaza, officials say relations are closer than ever.

Tareq al-Otaiba, former UAE national security council official, wrote in the Arab Gulf States Institute that Israel was among countries providing assistance to the UAE.

He said the United States and Israel provided military aid, intelligence sharing and diplomatic backing. A senior Emirati official said, We will not forget it, referring to Israeli support.

Another Emirati official also cited assistance from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Italy and Australia.

Officials cited in Axios reporting described continued coordination between Israeli and Emirati security channels during the war, including military communication and defensive cooperation in response to missile and drone attacks affecting the Gulf region coverage end.

(With files from Axios)

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