JERUSALEM – Israel’s defense minister said on Monday that the country is assisting in the formation of a regional air-defense coalition led by the United States against Iran, and that the group has already foiled attempted Iranian strikes.
Defense Minister Benny Gantz stated that he expected President Joe Biden’s planned visit to the region to deepen the relationship even further.
Gantz provided few information concerning the “Middle East Air Defense Alliance,” including which nations are members, in testimony to parliament’s powerful Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. He referred to it as the “first part” of a shared vision “in response to Iran’s plans to attack the region’s countries using rockets, cruise missiles, and UAVs” — unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones.
“This program is already operational and has successfully intercepted Iranian attempts to strike Israel and other countries,” he claimed. Biden’s visit in mid-July, which includes stops in Israel and Saudi Arabia, “will promote this process,” he added.
Iran is regarded as Israel’s most dangerous enemy. It established full diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, two Gulf Arab countries that likewise see Iran as a danger, two years ago.
Source: Arab News
