Israel deployed Iron Dome missile defense batteries and personnel to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to assist in protecting the Gulf nation against Iranian attacks, according to U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee. Huckabee made the confirmation during a panel discussion at a conference held at Tel Aviv University on May 25.

He highlighted the strategic cooperation between Israel and the UAE, the first country to formalize relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords. “Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them,” Huckabee stated, emphasizing the close partnership amid regional security challenges. The ambassador also commended the UAE for sustaining continuous commercial flights to and from Israel following the October 7 attacks, even as most Western carriers suspended service. “On October 7, they were flying 17 flights a day between the Emirates and Israel, and the next day, on the eighth, they were flying 17 flights,” he said. “They continued to do that when every other airline, including all the US airlines, stopped flying into Israel, and all the Europeans stopped flying into Israel.”

The deployment marks the first operational use of the Iron Dome system outside Israel and the United States. Earlier reports in April indicated that Israel had sent an Iron Dome battery and dozens of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) personnel during Operation Roaring Lion, following a direct conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed. While Singapore has previously acquired Iron Dome systems, this marks a notable instance of active operational support in a foreign country; Romania is also expected to receive the system in the near future.

Separately, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, echoed the message of regional assistance in March, noting that several Gulf countries are currently benefiting from Israeli expertise in intercepting drones and missiles launched by Iran. Leiter described Iran’s sustained missile and drone attacks against neighboring civilian targets, including shopping centers, airports, and residential areas, stating, “We’ve extended our help.”

In addition, Huckabee suggested that former U.S. President Donald Trump, who was recently awarded the Israel Prize, may visit Israel before Israel’s upcoming elections. “Every time I talk to the president, I tell him, ‘Mr. President, you need to come to Israel, because you will be overwhelmingly met by the response of the Israeli people – their love for you and their appreciation,’” Huckabee said during the conference.

The revelations underscore growing strategic cooperation between Israel and the Gulf states amid heightened tensions with Iran, as regional allies strengthen their defensive capabilities against missile attacks.