Israel allowed the US military deploy its Iron Dome missile defense system at bases in the Arabian Gulf, Europe, and elsewhere in Asia, according to Israel's Haaretz newspaper.
The newspaper quoted Israeli security sources as saying that the systems are intended to defend US forces in the Gulf from attacks by Iran and its proxies, adding that the US will deploy batteries in eastern Europe out of concern Russia could try to attack American forces or strategic infrastructure in those countries.
The Israeli officials cited in the report declined to reveal where the batteries will be deployed. But, the newspaper said two have already been delivered.
The move came prior to the visit of an Israeli delegation to Washington early next month.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed reports about US-Israeli talks on regional issues, mainly Iran.
It said US national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke on the phone Saturday with his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben Shabbat.
Channel 12 news has also reported that the Israeli PM is dispatching Mossad chief Yossi Cohen to Washington next month to lay out Israel’s demands of Iran in any nuclear deal.
Cohen will be the first senior Israeli official to meet US President Joe Biden.
The channel said Cohen and his team will present the Biden administration with all the information that Israel has on Iran’s rogue nuclear program.
For its part, i24 news said Sunday that in the event the US moves to rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Israel wants Washington to incorporate a number of core components into the deal to ensure Israel's national security.
That include a commitment from Iran that it immediately halt uranium enrichment; stop producing advanced centrifuges; and cease its support for terrorist groups such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah, the report added.
