From the Liveblog of
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Israel sent Iron Dome, troops to UAE during Iran war — report
Stav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel
Israel deployed an Iron Dome battery to the United Arab Emirates early in the war with Iran, along with troops to operate it, marking the first time the system has been sent to another country outside of Israel and the US, Axios reports, citing Israeli and American officials.
During the US-Israel war on Iran, Tehran launched sustained attacks on the UAE, firing some 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 2,200 drones, according to the Emirati defense ministry, making it the most targeted country in the region.
While most projectiles were intercepted, some struck military and civilian targets, reportedly prompting Abu Dhabi to seek assistance from allies.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the deployment following a call with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Israeli officials tell Axios. The system is said to have intercepted dozens of incoming Iranian missiles.
Israeli and Emirati officials say the two countries have been in close military and political coordination since the war began on February 28, with the Israeli Air Force also carrying out strikes in southern Iran during the war to neutralize threats aimed at Gulf states.
A senior Emirati official cited in the report says the UAE is “not going to forget” the assistance provided by Israel during the crisis.
The Times of Israel Community.