Israeli Air Defence Systems deployed in Abu Dhabi, UAE – Iran’s indicative reaction after the release of satellite photographs

Tehran: Israel’s ‘Barak’ air security system has been deployed at Al Dhafra Air Base, south of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Satellite photographs of this have been released. Iranian analysts admit that the cooperation developed between UAE and Israel has become a growing concern for Iran. Also, these analysts have warned that this cooperation of the UAE with Israel would adversely affect UAE relations with Iran. Iran had openly threatened the Arab Gulf countries, including the UAE, over their cooperation with Israel a few months ago. Iran had also warned that these Arab Gulf countries had threatened the region’s security by signing the Abraham Accords with Israel.

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Israeli Air Defence Systems deployed in Abu Dhabi, UAE - Iran's indicative reaction after the release of satellite photographsThe Saudi and UAE-backed military forefront continues to struggle with the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Houthi rebels had also struck rockets and missiles at Saudi Arabia and the UAE. It was alleged that Iran backed the Houthi rebels and targeted significant Gulf countries, like Saudi and UAE, through these rebels. Keeping this threat in mind, the UAE took the initiative to cooperate with Israel and concluded the Abraham Agreement in 2020, according to experts. Therefore, the military cooperation between the UAE and Israel is the next phase of the Abraham Accords. There were reports that the UAE had also started discussing purchasing air defence systems from Israel.

Israel had also shown readiness to provide air defence systems and other weapons to the Gulf countries, given the threat from Iran. Moreover, Israel had also proposed building a joint air defence system with the Gulf countries at risk from Iran. Although Saudi Arabia has not yet openly recognised Israel and signed the Abraham Accords, it was claimed that discussions were ongoing between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The importance of UAE’s defence cooperation with Israel has increased further against the backdrop.

Professor Hamed Mosavi of Iran’s University of Tehran claimed that this cooperation between UAE and Israel was a matter of concern for Iran. Until now, Iran and UAE had good relations. But Mosavi has warned that UAE’s cooperation with Israel will negatively impact UAE-Iran relations. Besides, another analyst claimed that, in any case, Israel would not make the mistake of supplying its most advanced weapons to the Gulf countries. If Israel decides to provide the UAE or other Gulf countries with its advanced weapons and systems, there would be a risk of ending Israel’s military dominance in the region. These analysts say that Israel cannot take this risk.

Meanwhile, Israel has adopted a strategy to increase its regional influence by signing the Abraham Agreement with the Arab Gulf countries in 2020. Israel’s leaders have been consistently trying to prove that Israel will not be an enemy of the Gulf countries but a good associate. However, the countries that signed the Abraham Treaty by recognising Israel have left the issue of Palestine to twist in the wind, and Iran has accused them of betraying the Palestinian people. Furthermore, Iran consistently threatens that if the Gulf countries threaten Iran’s security and interests by cooperating militarily with Israel, Iran will respond in the same language. In such a situation, the deployment of Israel’s Barak air security system at the air base in Abu Dhabi, UAE, becomes a matter of unrest for Iran. It becomes significant that the first reaction to it came from Iran itself.

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