A new report has made claims that Israel and Arab countries held a secret meeting with US in resort city Sharm al Sheikh Egypt, to ‘to explore how they could coordinate against Iran’.
The Wall Street Journal reported that ‘the secret meeting was focused on countering Iran’s growing missile and drone capabilities.’ This would be the maiden ‘US gathered Israeli and Arab military chiefs’ to against Iran ‘seen as a common threat’.
While United Arab Emirates has denounced the report saying ‘it is not a part of any regional military alliance or any coordination efforts that target any state in particular.’
“Abu Dhabi is not unware of any official talks on any regional military alliance.”
The damning report comes amid US plan to establish an ‘air defense alliance in the Middle East between Israel and a number of Arab states.’
“The alliance, which was called by Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz the “Middle East Air Defense Alliance,” will be directed against Iran who has been developing its missile and drone capabilities,” reads a report.
Jordan’s King Abdullah II has already signaled his acceptance to join a formation of a Middle Eastern military alliance similar to NATO between like-minded states. Abdullah was likely hinting at the US plan.
The South Front, defence website, commented that ‘US efforts to forge an Israeli-Arab military alliance in the Middle East are not guaranteed to be successful. The plan would turn Arab states in the Gulf into a frontline in case of any war between Israel and Iran, placing most of the burden of such conflict on them. Due to this, some Gulf states, like the UAE, don’t appear to be enthusiastic about the plan.’
“For Arab states in the Gulf, a rapprochement with Iran remains a safer bet. The UAE is already working to boost cooperation with Iran on all level, while Saudi Arabia continues to be engaged in talks with Iran to restore relations,” South Front report reads.
