'We won't forget it': Israel sent Iron Dome battery and soldiers to UAE during war with Iran – report

During the Iran war, Israel sent an Iron Dome defense system, including soldiers to operate the air defense battery, to the United Arab Emirates, Axios and The Jerusalem Post reported. 

While Israel and the UAE are both members of the Abraham Accords, which established official recognition and open diplomatic relations, it is not a defense agreement.

Therefore, the deployment of an Iron Dome battery, along with Israeli soldiers to operate it, represents a new level of security, intelligence, and defense cooperation between the two nations. The reports have not been confirmed by official Israeli sources.

In addition, the deployment of Israeli soldiers outside of its borders, particularly in an effort to defend another country, is allegedly highly rare. "We are not going to forget it," a senior Emirati official said of the Israeli help, according to Axios.

Despite not participating in the strikes on Iran, which were carried out by Israel and the United States, the UAE was targeted by more Iranian missiles than any other nation during the conflict. According to the UAE Ministry of Defense, throughout the war, air defense systems in the country intercepted 537 ballistic missiles, 26 cruise missiles, and 2,256 UAVs from Iran. 

While most of the missiles and drones were intercepted, a small number struck the Gulf nation, causing injuries to 224 people.

The large number of missiles and drones prompted the UAE to reach out to partners and allies for assistance. According to a report by Axios, one of the countries the UAE contacted was Israel.

The IDF reportedly sent an Iron Dome battery and a contingent of soldiers to operate it, following a phone call between UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Axios reported, citing Israeli security officials. 

The deployment marks the first time that Israel has sent an operational Iron Dome battery to another country. While Iron Dome is primarily meant to defend against short-range threats, including drones and cruise missiles, Israeli media reports suggest that it was used as a last measure against Iranian ballistic missiles several times during the recent conflict.

Alongside the deployment of the air defense system, which reportedly intercepted dozens of missiles, the Israel Air Force targeted several short-range missile launchers in southern Iran that were attacking the UAE and other Gulf countries. 

According to Tareq Alotaiba, a former UAE government employee and current fellow in the Middle East Initiative at Harvard University’s Belfer Center, the lack of assistance from Arab nations was an eye-opening moment that exposed “the hollowness of Arab solidarity.” 

Alotaiba cited Telegram messages from former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who said the UAE is equal to Israel and said Iran should focus on attacking the UAE alongside Israeli and U.S. interests. 

“In the face of Iranian aggression, several states have stepped up to provide real assistance to the UAE,” Alotaiba wrote. “Primarily, the United States and Israel have proved to be true allies by offering support through extensive military aid, intelligence sharing, and diplomatic backing.” 

He noted the lack of support from Arab states, despite previous promises, citing Egypt as an example of a nation that offered only verbal condemnations of the attacks but no material support. 

The lack of Arab solidarity could lead to the UAE “withdrawing from Arab multilateralism.” 

Emirati Strategic Affairs expert Amjad Taha was even stronger in his praise of Israel and criticism of other nations, in a post to social media. 

“Israel has shown itself to be a great friend on a rainy day, while Britain under Starmer has shown that you cannot depend on it at all, even in traffic-light disputes,” Taha wrote on 𝕏. 

“Israel has helped the Middle East get rid of terrorists such as Khamenei and Nasrallah, who killed 500,000 Syrians, created 5.6 million refugees, and caused the deaths of millions of Iranian people,” Taha continued. “Israel, whether you like it or not, is a much better friend than many who claim to be your friends and allies, yet disappeared when the Islamic regime in Iran started sending missiles and drones at babies and schools.” 

Israel has shown itself to be a great friend on a rainy day, while Britain under Starmer has shown that you cannot depend on it at all, even in traffic-light disputes. Israel has helped the Middle East get rid of terrorists such as Khamenei and Nasrallah, who killed 500,000…

— Amjad Taha أمجد طه (@amjadt25) April 26, 2026

Noting that the UAE prefers a peaceful stance, Taha said the nation will stand firmly “on the side of peace, against terrorism, against hatred, and against antisemitism.”