Israel says US is building a regional air defence alliance

• Israel has offered defence cooperation to Arab states affiliated with the United States.
• The archenemy of Israel, Iran, claims that any military actions it takes are defensive.
• Israeli minister did not identify partner nations or provide any information on the foiled plots.

JERUSALEM: The defence minister of Israel announced on Monday that the regional air defence alliance funded by the United States is being built, adding that the apparatus has already thwarted Iranian attack attempts and might be bolstered by President Joe Biden’s visit next month.

Israel has offered defence cooperation to Arab states affiliated with the United States that share its concerns about Iran as it has grown closer to them in recent years.

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According to an official transcript, he stated, “Over the past year I have been leading an extensive programme, together with my partners at the Pentagon and in the U.S. administration, that will strengthen the cooperation between Israel and countries in the region.”

“This program is already operative and has already enabled the successful interception of Iranian attempts to attack Israel and other countries.”

The transcript did not identify partner nations or provide any information on the foiled plots. The archenemy of Israel, Iran, claims that any military actions it takes are defensive.

“I hope that we will take another step forward in this aspect (of regional cooperation) during President Biden’s important visit,” Gantz continued.

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Saudi Arabia supported Israel’s 2020 reconciliation with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. However, Saudi Arabia has refrained from normalising relations with its Israeli neighbour.