Senior Israeli official says Iran war strengthening ties with UAE

Israel and the United Arab Emirates are growing closer because of the Middle East war, a senior Israeli official tells AFP, citing increased military cooperation and opportunities to increase trade and business ties.

Two Israeli delegations will arrive next week, the Gulf-based official says, including a Transportation Ministry team that will discuss a trade corridor linking India, the Middle East and Europe.

The visits will be the first since the war erupted on February 28, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran and triggered an Iranian backlash against nearby Gulf countries that host US military bases.

Weeks of drone and missile bombardment drew a hawkish response from the oil-rich UAE, aligning it more closely with Israel.

“This presents an opportunity to enhance ties. We believe in this market… We believe people should come. There’s a lot of opportunity for cooperation,” the Israeli official says.

“The enhancement in cooperation will grow further, not only in military cooperation,” they add.

The official, who requested anonymity to discuss the subject, does not confirm US comments that Israel sent Iron Dome air defense batteries and personnel to the UAE.

They also refuse to comment on a Wall Street Journal report that the UAE carried out dozens of strikes on Iran in coordination with Israel and the US.

“Israel proved itself a true friend of the UAE when other countries didn’t. Israel came to stand side-by-side… in a country like the UAE, it matters,” the official says.