Gulf countries fearful of attack from Iran are in talks to acquire a bigger version of Israel’s powerful Iron Dome anti-missile system, the foreign minister of Bahrain has said.
The multibillion-pound deal would involve negotiations between the Gulf Co-operation Council countries — Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait — and Israeli weapons companies, with the US playing the middleman, according to Khalid bin Muhammad al-Khalifa.
The unlikely partnership between the ancient foes has been spurred by a UN-backed agreement to lift sanctions on Iran in exchange for curbs on the country’s controversial nuclear programme. Israel and the Gulf now share a common enemy in Iran, which was certain to increase its weapons capabilities, Mr Khalifa told Sky News.
“Iran has been trying to undermine and topple governments in our region for years,” he said during a visit to London. “The Israelis have their small Iron Dome. We will have a much bigger one in the GCC.”
The Iron Dome is a mobile air-defence system designed by Raytheon, a US contractor, and Rafael, an Israeli arms company. It is capable of intercepting short-range rockets and artillery shells, and has recorded a 90 per cent success rate since being deployed in Israel.
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The Gulf states hope to build a much bigger version to protect against a “growing arsenal of Iranian missiles”. It would include longer-range interceptor missiles such as David’s Sling, and the Arrow I and Arrow II, which are capable of intercepting supersonic intercontinental ballistic missiles, Sky News reported.
The US is eager to act as mediator in the lucrative deal — in part to make up for the anger it sparked in the region when it helped to negotiate the six-power nuclear deal with Iran, which critics say will eventually allow it to produce an atomic weapon. The Gulf states also fear that the lifting of sanctions on Iran will allow a fledgeling alliance between Tehran and Moscow to flourish.
Tensions have flared between Shia Iran and the predominantly Sunni Gulf states as they back opposing sides in several regional wars. Saudi Arabia has led a seven-month air and ground war in Yemen to flush out Shia rebels who are armed by Iran. The Gulf partnership hopes to reinstate President Hadi, who was ousted by the Houthi rebels.
The GGC is also funnelling weapons and money to Syrian rebel groups that have spent years trying to overthrow President Assad, whose staunchest ally is the Tehran government.
Iran used the recent haj disaster in Mecca, in which more than 750 people died, as an opportunity to lash out at the Saudis, accusing them of incompetence. More than 460 Iranian pilgrims were killed in the stampede.