Senior Israeli government minister confirms reports that the IDF sent soldiers and Iron Dome batteries to the United Arab Emirates to shield it from Iranian attacks during recent war.By World Israel News StaffIsraeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev (Likud) confirmed Sunday that Israel deployed an Iron Dome battery to the United Arab Emirates during the recent war with Iran, publicly acknowledging a previously reported military move that underscored the deepening security ties between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi.Regev, a member of the security cabinet, told Galei Tzahal radio that Israel had sent the missile-defense system to help the UAE protect itself from Iranian attacks early in the war.“They understood that the ballistic missiles were one of the biggest challenges,” Regev said.The confirmation marked the first time an Israeli minister publicly acknowledged the deployment. Reports in April had said Israel sent an Iron Dome battery, interceptors and personnel to operate the system after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.According to those reports, the system intercepted dozens of Iranian missiles fired at the Gulf state. The deployment was widely described as the first operational use of Iron Dome outside Israel and the United States.The move came as Iran subjected the UAE to one of the heaviest missile and drone campaigns of the conflict. Emirati figures cited in Israeli and US reports said Tehran fired roughly 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 2,200 drones at the UAE, making it one of the war’s most heavily targeted countries.Most of the projectiles were intercepted, though some struck military and civilian sites.In one May attack, three cruise missiles were intercepted while another fell into the sea, and that a later salvo injured three people. Iran also launched attack drones, including one that reportedly hit a petrochemical facility.US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee already confirmed the Israeli deployment in May during an event in Tel Aviv, saying it reflected the strategic value of the Abraham Accords.“Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them,” Huckabee said. “How come? Because there’s an extraordinary relationship between the UAE and Israel.”Huckabee said the war had sharpened a regional debate over who posed the greater threat to Gulf states.“Israel helped us, Iran attacked us. What’s the lesson here? The lesson is that Israel is not your natural enemy,” he said.The UAE did not immediately comment on Huckabee’s remarks at the time, according to Anadolu Agency.Regev also used her radio interview to respond to President Donald Trump’s recent comment that Netanyahu “knows who the boss is.”“That’s a typical Trump-style comment,” she said. “Netanyahu drew red lines and told him, ‘I will do what is necessary to protect the citizens of Israel, just as you would do what is necessary to protect the citizens of the United States.’”Israel and the UAE normalized relations in 2020 under the Abraham Accords. Since then, their defense, intelligence and trade ties have expanded, though both governments have generally kept the most sensitive security cooperation out of public view.The Wall Street Journal reported in May that the UAE also carried out dozens of strikes against Iranian targets during the war, with support from US and Israeli intelligence. The reported targets included sites on Qeshm and Abu Musa islands, the port city of Bandar Abbas, Lavan Island’s oil refinery and the Asaluyeh petrochemical complex.The report said the UAE’s wartime role was broader than previously known and came in response to Iran’s attacks on Emirati infrastructure. Israeli reports said the strikes caused friction with Saudi Arabia, which pushed for the UAE to halt the attacks and return to diplomacy.The post Israel confirms it deployed troops, Iron Dome batteries to UAE appeared first on World Israel News.