Iran’s Dream Comes True? Israel Angers the Arab Ally It Gifted Iron Dome Protection To, Now What?

Hinzugefügt: 2026-06-02

[00:00:00]Has Israel managed to anger one of its most important Arab partners at a time when regional tensions are already running high? Fresh criticism from the UAE over developments at Al-Aqsa is raising questions about whether a relationship once strengthened by security cooperation, including support linked to air defense initiatives, is coming under new strain. Could Iran be witnessing exactly the kind of diplomatic fallout it has long hoped for? As the UAE publicly condemns Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa, observers are closely watching whether the crisis could weaken one of the Middle East's most significant normalization agreements. The timing could hardly be more sensitive for Israel. With tensions across the region already elevated, the UAE's criticism has sparked debate over whether Tehran now sees an opportunity to capitalize on growing friction between Israel and a key Arab partner.

[00:00:46]For years, Israel and the UAE were held up as a model of regional cooperation.

[00:00:51]But the latest controversy is prompting fresh scrutiny of that partnership. Has Israel made a serious strategic miscalculation by allowing an issue like Al-Aqsa to generate anger in Abu Dhabi?

[00:01:02]And as diplomatic tensions rise, a larger question is beginning to emerge.

[00:01:06]Could divisions over Al-Aqsa create the kind of political opening that Iran has been seeking, complicating efforts to maintain a united front among countries opposed to Tehran's regional influence?

[00:01:16]The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned the storming of the Al-Aqsa compound by Israeli settlers, warning that such actions risk triggering a dangerous new phase of regional escalation at an already volatile moment in the Middle East. Abu Dhabi described the incursion into the Al-Aqsa compound as a provocation, arguing the developments at one of Islam's holiest sites could inflame tensions further and fuel fresh unrest across the region. The UAE also placed responsibility on Israeli authorities to prevent further escalation, calling on Israel to take immediate steps to stop actions that could undermine stability at the sensitive holy site. The criticism comes as regional powers continue to rally behind Jordan's custodianship of Jerusalem's holy places, with Arab states backing efforts to prevent additional tensions around the Al-Aqsa compound. At the same time, the UAE reiterated that a two-state solution remains the only viable path toward fulfilling Palestinian aspirations for statehood and achieving a lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

[00:02:16]The controversy erupted after Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa mosque compound in East Jerusalem on May 31st, an incident that quickly drew condemnation and renewed attention to one of the region's most sensitive religious sites.

[00:02:38]Palestinian officials and activists accused Israel of pursuing what they described as the Judaization of the Al-Aqsa site, arguing that recent actions form part of a broader effort to alter the character of the area. Reports also claim that settlers carried out what were described as provocative rituals during their visit, with critics alleging that such actions are being enabled by policies pursued by Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

[00:03:09]The dispute is further complicated by long-standing arrangements at the site, with reports noting that Israeli police have permitted settler visits to the compound since 2003 under regulated access system. The director of media department at the Jerusalem Governorate said, and I quote, "These practices aim to impose new realities by force in occupied East Jerusalem and undermine the historical and legal status quo at the Al-Aqsa mosque.

[00:03:32]Settlers' actions inside the Al-Aqsa mosque are part of an ongoing colonial plan targeting the spatial and temporal division of the mosque, the Judaization of the city [music] to obliterate its religious and historical identity, and the alteration of its legal, cultural, and demographic character."

[00:03:52]UAE conducted dozens of strikes on Iran during war and even after ceasefire, Wall Street Journal report, according to sources [music] close to the matter.

[00:04:00]Report said Emirati strikes were carried out in coordination [music] with US and Israeli forces during the height of regional hostilities. As per Wall Street Journal sources, UAE targeted Qeshm and Abu Musa Islands, both located near the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Bandar Abbas, Lavan Island refinery and the Assaluyeh petrochemical complex were also allegedly hit during the operations. Some strikes were reportedly launched after Iran targeted UAE [music] energy and oil infrastructure with missile and drone attacks. The reported Assaluyeh strike drew global attention over concerns about attacks on critical energy infrastructure in the region.

[00:04:36]According to reports, Washington later asked Israel to halt strikes on Iranian energy targets to prevent further escalation.

[00:04:48]Ahead of the war, Gulf states publicly stated their airspace and bases would not be used against [music] Iran in any conflict. However, the report claimed some regional positions shifted after Iran began mass missile and drone retaliation strikes. Iran reportedly [music] fired more than 2,800 missiles and drones towards UAE during the course of the war, according to the report. The UAE is said to have faced more Iranian strikes than any other country in the region, including Israel. The scale of the Emirati response reportedly created divisions inside the Gulf block over how to respond militarily. Saudi Arabia reportedly warned the US that strikes on Iranian energy sites could endanger regional oil infrastructure. Riyadh expressed fears that escalation could push global oil prices higher and trigger market instability. Abu Dhabi reportedly favored [music] a stronger military response, while Saudi Arabia pushed for diplomatic de-escalation.

[00:05:40]Amid these differences, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed was reportedly frustrated with Saudi [music] Crown Prince MBS.

[00:05:51]The war also reportedly deepened military coordination between Israel and the UAE during the conflict period.

[00:05:57]Israel reportedly deployed Iron Dome air defense systems and military personnel inside the UAE during [music] the war.

[00:06:03]Top Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are said to have visited the UAE. The visits reportedly [music] focused on secret security coordination and joint response measures against Iran.

[00:06:20]A Saudi expert warned that Trump's refusal to re-engage in a war with Iran will cost him dearly, arguing the perceived disengagement could have significant political and strategic repercussions [music] for the president both at home and across the region.

[00:06:32]The Saudi analyst said Saudi Arabia no longer trust [music] the United States to provide protection, a blunt assessment that reflects growing doubts in Riyadh about Washington's reliability [music] as a security guarantor amid shifting US priorities. Mubarak Al-Ati's reported by the Jerusalem [music] Post exposed Riyadh's deepening fear of Iran, with the analyst's remarks interpreted as a candid admission of anxiety within Saudi political and security circles.

[00:06:56]Al-Ati warned that the US decline in influence is preventing Gulf states from taking Trump's Abraham [music] Accords demand seriously, suggesting that diminished American credibility makes regional [music] leaders less willing to commit politically risky normalization steps. The remark came days after Trump urged Arab states to join the Abraham Accords and normalize ties with Israel.

[00:07:15]A push that Al-Ati said will be harder to sell to Gulf publics and governments if they perceive [music] Washington as retreating from regional security responsibilities. Mubarak Al-Ati made the remarks while speaking with RT News, >> [music] >> the Jerusalem Post reported on May 29th, giving an international platform to views that illuminate intra-Gulf anxieties and the fraught dynamics of US influence [music] in the Middle East.

[00:07:37]The Saudi analyst said, and I quote, "It seems that US President Donald Trump refuses to return to war and [music] overthrow the Ayatollah's regime.

[00:07:45]This will cost him dearly. The balance of power has changed significantly and for rising powers such as India, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil, all of which are G20 [music] members, there are now new possibilities.

[00:08:00]And they can establish relations with all forces, not just with the US.

[00:08:05]The US is still a superpower, but not as it was a decade ago.

[00:08:09]Saudi Arabia refrained [music] from being drawn into war and did not stand alongside Israel and the United States.

[00:08:15]Just as it did not stand alongside [music] Iran. Saudi Arabia has not declared hostility toward any of the parties.

[00:08:22]And this means they analyzed the situation [music] and saw themselves as an independent actor who cannot be a satellite of Israel and the US unquote.