TEL AVIV — The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said Tuesday that Israel has sent Iron Dome anti‑missile batteries and personnel to the United Arab Emirates to help defend the country amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Huckabee, a Baptist minister, former Arkansas governor and one‑time presidential candidate, made the disclosure while speaking at the Tel Aviv Conference. “I’d like to say a word of appreciation for United Arab Emirates, the first Abraham accord member,” he said. “Just look at the benefits. Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them.”
The remark underscores a growing security relationship between Israel and the UAE, which normalized diplomatic ties with Israel in 2020 under the Abraham Accords. The UAE did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Huckabee’s acknowledgment.
Huckabee said he was “very optimistic” that additional regional states would join the Abraham Accords. He argued Gulf states now face a strategic choice over whether they see a greater threat from Iran or from Israel, adding that “they see that Israel helped us and Iran attacked us. Israel is not trying to take over your land, and is not sending missiles to you.”
His comments come as a shaky ceasefire holds in the conflict involving Iran. Negotiations between the U.S. and Tehran appear stalled, and tensions remain high around the Gulf, where the narrow Strait of Hormuz is seen as susceptible to Iranian pressure — a factor that raises the risk of renewed hostilities.
The broader regional situation has also strained relations between Israel and many Arab states. Since Hamas’ attack on Israel in 2023, Israel has carried out extensive military operations in Gaza and has struck targets connected to Iran and its allied groups across the region. The conflict has left the Gaza Strip heavily damaged, and Israel currently exerts control over areas in Lebanon and Syria as well.
Huckabee framed Israel’s assistance to the UAE as part of deeper security cooperation among states concerned about Iran’s influence and activity in the region. His comments illustrate how the dynamics of the Iran conflict are reshaping alignments and defense ties across the Middle East.