Israel Ambassador to UAE says Iran war brought Gulf States , Israel closer

What Happened

Israel’s Ambassador to the UAE, Yossi Shelley, told The Jerusalem Post that the recent conflict with Iran strengthened rather than weakened the bilateral relationship under the Abraham Accords. He described Iranian missile and drone attacks against the UAE — including approximately 3,000 projectiles targeting homes and infrastructure — that underscored shared security threats and prompted joint defense cooperation. Shelley acknowledged effective collaboration during the war but declined to directly confirm a claim by US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee that Israel deployed Iron Dome systems in the UAE. He also disclosed that senior Israeli officials, including Mossad Director David Barnea, Shin Bet Director David Zini, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visited the UAE during the conflict, though a public denial by UAE authorities followed after one visit was disclosed. Shelley warned that Iran continues to target Israelis worldwide, but expressed confidence in Emirati security services.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The purported strengthening of Israel-UAE ties in the midst of direct confrontation with Iran signals a potential hardening of the Abraham Accords into a de facto security alliance. This could reshape Gulf defense postures, accelerate military technology transfers, and complicate Iran’s regional strategy by demonstrating that large-scale strikes on Gulf states may unify rather than fragment the anti-Iran camp.

Watch For

Monitor whether defense cooperation—especially Iron Dome deployments or sales—becomes formally acknowledged by either state, as Huckabee’s claim remains unconfirmed. Watch for UAE diplomatic maneuvers between military escalation and ceasefire advocacy, particularly as US President Trump’s policy evolves. Track any follow-on Iranian threats or attacks against Israeli interests in the UAE, given Shelley’s warning of persistent targeting. Also observe the return of Israeli tourism and business to gauge the durability of normalization.