Iranian aggression: US, Israel and UAE speed up counter measures
With increased tensions between Iran and US, the countries join hands in an effort to curb the Iranian threat, Wall Street Journal reports
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, United Arab Emirates and Israel, backed by the US, are working together on sharing intel reports and military information regarding the escalation of Iranian threat within the region in recent months.
US officials disclosed to the paper that Brian Hook, who is heading State Department’s Iran Action Group organized the secretive talks that took place between April and June are still in their initial stages, but also pointed out that they have reached a point where the three countries are coordinating on the Iranian issues.
A senior Trump administration official stated that “The Iran Action Group has been working with several countries to coordinate diplomatic, security and intelligence activities in response to Iran’s escalating aggression.”
“These efforts have helped to pre-empt and neutralize multiple Iranian threats including terrorist and cyber operations in third countries, planned attacks against international shipping, and illegal trafficking in arms.”
According to a former US official, in an effort to influence the international community, Hook seeks the support of Israel and United Arab Emirates to play a pivotal role in undermining Iran and to encourage other countries, especially European countries and the Middle East to consider taking a stiffer stance on Tehran.
Having said this, the former official also took into account the diplomatic back channels, which UAE and Iran share, can also be a cause of concern and further makes the situation far more complicated.
As far as the relations between Israel and UAE are concerned, the UAE does not recognize Israel as a state and both countries don’t share any political or diplomatic relationships. Whereas, Israel shares only formal diplomatic relations with bordering Egypt and Jordan.
Moving forward, Emirati and Israeli officials have reportedly met in the UAE and have also travelled together on direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv during the past few months.
A conference in Warsaw was held in February, which was organized by the US, aimed to bring together Israel and a dozen other countries, including the Gulf leaders on one forum to intensify the pressure against Iran. It is to be well-noted that the more recent talks that took place owes its origins from this conference.
Officials from both the UAE and Israel refused to give their remarks to the Wall Street Journal.
