- Published: 29 Apr 2026
- Israel’s deployment of Iron Dome missile defence in UAE
- Israel sent Iron Dome and troops to UAE “early in the war with Iran”
- Israeli PM Netanyahu ordered Israel (IDF) to send Iron Dome
- with interceptors, several dozen IDF operators to UAE
- following telephone call from Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nayhan
- the Iron Dome intercepted dozens of Iranian missiles
- UAE was targeted by Iranian missile and drone attacks
- Iran fired 550 missiles and 2,200 drones at UAE
- most of the missiles and drones (90%) intercepted by Iron Dome
- Iron Dome deployment to UAE “watershed moment” in Middle East alignments
- signalling regional air defence was a “shared enterprise”
- Israel providing security and having a stake (to prevent) escalation
- Iron Dome marks shift from diplomatic ties to wartime military integration
- Iron Dome with IDF troops in UAE qualitatively different level of trust
- strongly signals convergence of threat perception regarding Iran
- first-ever deployment of Iron Dome to an Arab state “remarkable”
- trend of Israel expanding its military influence in Gulf states
- UAE politically and ideologically closest partner to Israel (in the Gulf)
- shifting calculus in the Gulf
- Israel’s expanding military role meant Iranian coercion carried great cost
- UAE military ties with Israel since Abrahamic Accords in 2020
- Abraham Accords now operational security alignment
- first time Israel’s Iron Dome used outside Israel or United States
My Comments:
The Arabs are beginning to realise that they have common enemies (with Israel).
Their common enemies are Iran, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood and Turkey.
This also proves beyond doubt that Israel is not considered an enemy by the Arabs.
Why didnt the UAE ask the Americans for the Patriot system?
Why the Israeli Iron Dome?
My view is the Israelis are considered "more reliable" than the Americans.
Each time a new US president is elected, the entire foreign policy of the United States can change - often 180 degrees (Iraq, Afghanistan).
Another American president can pull back the Patriot system.
In this regard Israel can be considered a more reliable defence partner.
Also Israel is within short flying distance - backup and restocking ammo will be faster.
Will it stop here? Not likely. I believe the UAE just pioneered the way for Arab countries to buy more military equipment from Israel.
It is a matter of time before Saudi Arabia joins the bandwagon.
Mr Trump can expedite the process if he tells the Saudis to 'Buy Israeli' just to expedite the Abrahamic Accords (the Saudis have not signed yet).
(Those of you who are not happy to read this can say thank you to the really stupid mullahs in Iran).
With the Israeli defence pact, the UAE will also feel less "threatened" by any of its neighbours (Iran, Yemen and even Saudi Arabia).
The UAE quitting OPEC also gives them the freedom to pump more oil (which is what they want to do anyway) without being curtailed by OPEC production quotas - which are largely determined by Saudi Arabia. The UAE has the capacity to export FIVE million barrels of oil per day - compared to the OPEC quota restricted 3.0 million barrels per day. So their oil earnings can increase by 66% (??)
The UAE also has a SEVEN MILLION barrel per day oil pipeline (picture above) that bypasses the Straits of Hormuz direct from UAE to the oil terminal at Fujairah. So the UAE can easily replace the 3.0 million barrels per day of Iranian oil which has now been blockaded by the US.
So folks, the price of oil will come down. Hold your horses.
Grand Winner: Israel, UAE.
