US-Israel's 'MEAD' poses a threat to the entire region, including Iran

Tehran: ‘The US-Israel air security agreement with the Middle Eastern states will not establish regional security and stability. On the contrary, the agreement will only increase tensions and mistrust. Iran views this agreement as a threat to national and regional security,’ Iran’s foreign ministry has warned. US President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit Israel in the coming days and Iran’s warning ahead of this visit is significant. Israel’s Defence Minister Benny Gantz has said that work on a joint air security proposal between Israel-US and Arab countries began long ago.

A joint air security system was proposed at the Negev Summit of Israel, the United States, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Morocco and Egypt. The Middle East Air Defence-MEAD was agreed upon at the Negev Summit, given the threat posed by Iran’s increased defence capabilities. Although Saudi Arabia and some other Middle East countries are not involved, it is claimed that these countries will soon join the ‘MEAD’. US President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel could be crucial for this.

Iran has taken serious cognisance of this. Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman of Iran’s foreign ministry, expressed Iran’s concern in this regard. ‘The entry of foreign countries in the Middle East region is a dangerous issue. Weapons stockpiles will not be able to establish security and stability in the region. On the contrary, it will create a lot of tension and add to the mistrust,’ Kanaani said. At the same time, Kanaani warned the participating countries that Iran views ‘MEAD’ as a threat to its own and the region’s security.

The activities of the US and Israel in the Middle East, including the Persian Gulf, are dangerous. That is why Iran has been threatening countries in the region by demanding that they should not cooperate with the US and Israel. The Middle East countries say that Iran’s influence over Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen has increased tremendously and that their security is at risk. Middle Eastern countries say the threat has intensified in the wake of attacks on Saudi and UAE by Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Against this backdrop, the MEAD was discussed at the Negev Summit in March. Israeli Defence Minister Benny Gantz added to Iran’s concerns by informing that Israel’s work on this has already begun. Stating that he has held talks with US leaders and the defence headquarters, Defence Minister Gantz said MEAD would be activated soon. Therefore, no matter how many objections and threats Iran makes, it will not affect the progress of MEAD, the Israeli Defence Minister has pointed out.