Israel deploys Iron Dome in UAE during Iran war
The deployment, ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a call with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, included several dozen Israeli troops to operate the system on Emirati soil
Israel deployed an Iron Dome air defence system to the United Arab Emirates during the 2026 war with Iran, marking the first time the system has been stationed in another country, according to details of the operation.
The deployment, ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after a call with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed, included several dozen Israeli troops to operate the system on Emirati soil, reports Middle East Eye.
It also marked the first time the Iron Dome has been used in active combat by a country other than Israel or the United States.
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The battery intercepted dozens of Iranian missiles targeting the UAE, which was among the main targets of Tehran's attacks during the conflict. Emirati territory faced around 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and more than 2,200 drones, according to the details.
While most incoming threats were intercepted, falling debris caused damage to sites including the Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah and Dubai Airport.
The deployment formed part of broader military coordination between Israel and the UAE that has intensified since the start of the war on 28 Feb. Israeli forces also carried out strikes in southern Iran aimed at destroying short-range missiles before they could be launched toward Gulf states.
The war began with a joint US-Israeli aerial assault that killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and escalated further on 18 March when the United States and Israel bombed Iran's South Pars gas field. Iran subsequently retaliated with attacks on energy facilities, embassies and infrastructure across the Gulf.
Officials view the deployment as a significant step in deepening military cooperation, reflecting a level of coordination that extended beyond equipment transfers to direct operational involvement.
The UAE was one of the most heavily targeted countries during the conflict, and the presence of the Iron Dome provided an additional layer of defence during the escalation.
The fighting has affected the UAE's economy, damaging Dubai's tourism sector and slowing oil exports. A temporary ceasefire brokered by the United States took effect on 8 April, although negotiations since then have yet to yield a broader agreement.
