- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Israel Rejects Reported Selling of Its Iron Dome Missile Systems to Saudi Arabia

© AP Photo / Dan BaliltyRocket is launched from a new Israeli anti-missile system known as Iron Dome. (File)
Rocket is launched from a new Israeli anti-missile system known as Iron Dome. (File) - Sputnik International
Subscribe
Iron Dome is a sophisticated vehicle-mounted system capable of detecting threats and eliminating incoming missiles and rockets using a shotgun-like blast.

Israeli security officials have vehemently rejected reports that Saudi Arabia had allegedly purchased Iron Dome missile defense systems from the Jewish state, according to Haaretz.

Their remarks came after the Emirati news website Al-Khaleej Online cited diplomatic sources as saying that the deal, which is estimated at tens of millions of dollars, is due to enter force in December, when Iron Dome batteries will be deployed on Saudi Arabia's southern border with Yemen.

READ MORE: False Alarm: Israel Mistakenly Fires Iron Dome Air Defense Missiles in Gaza

Saudi officials have declined to confirm the sale, which the sources claimed allegedly reflected warmer ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

According to Al-Khaleej, the deal, which was ostensibly mediated by the United States, stipulates further plans to clinch an agreement on full-blown military cooperation between Riyadh and the Jewish state.

READ MORE: Iran Blames Saudi Arabia for Paying Billions to US, Israel

With Riyadh rejecting allegations about bolstering its relations with Tel Aviv, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman recognized Israel's right to exist earlier this year.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani speaks at a news conference near the United Nations General Assembly in the Manhattan borough of New York, U.S., September 22, 2016 - Sputnik International
'They Both Hate Iran': Why Israel and Saudi Arabia Are Getting Very Cozy
In a separate development, the Israeli newspaper Maariv reported in June that Salman and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had held secret talks in the Jordanian capital Amman.

In November 2017, Netanyahu admitted that despite having no diplomatic relations with Riyadh, Tel Aviv had developed "contacts" with Saudi Arabia, which he said "have been kept in general secret."

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала