Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed concerns regarding the potential transfer of Israeli-manufactured defense systems, including the Iron Dome, to Ukraine. In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Netanyahu suggested that if Ukrainian forces' systems were to fall into the hands of Russia, Iran's close relationship with Ukraine could lead to Tehran gaining control over the equipment. The specifics of how Iran would acquire this equipment were not mentioned.
During the conflict in Ukraine, Moscow has utilized Iranian-made Shahed drones, which were rebranded as Geran. Although Tehran previously denied supplying these weapons to Russia for use against Kyiv, Netanyahu expressed worries about the possibility of Israeli systems being used against Israel if they were to fall into Iranian hands and be reverse-engineered.
Ukraine has consistently emphasized its urgent need for air defense systems and ammunition to counter the ongoing Russian offensive. U.S. senators Chris Van Hollen and Lindsey Graham have recently urged Israel to allow the transfer of the Iron Dome air defense and missile interception system to Ukraine, clarifying that they are not requesting Israel's own Iron Dome systems, which are crucial to its own security.
The Ukrainian embassy to Israel criticized the Israeli government's perceived close cooperation with Russia and its lack of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in a scathing Facebook statement. The embassy appealed to Israel to provide essential protective equipment, referring to the recent Russian shelling in Kramatorsk that resulted in 12 deaths, and stressed that lives would be saved if Israel, known for its defensive capabilities, assisted Ukraine.
Netanyahu addressed these comments by stating that Israel is not neutral in the conflict and reiterated its sympathy and support for Ukraine. However, he emphasized that Israel has limitations and national security concerns that it must consider, with its priority being the security of the Jewish state.
Israel's stance may also be influenced by its efforts to counter Iran in neighboring Syria. The Atlantic Council noted that Israel's reluctance to condemn Russia's actions is primarily a strategic decision to safeguard an unofficial agreement with Moscow, which allows Israel to combat Iranian influence in Syria. Israel does not want to risk alienating Russia, as it has control over the Syrian sky and generally does not impede Israeli fighter jets from targeting Iranian proxies.
Israel's opposition to Iran has led to its increasing isolation, particularly after Saudi Arabia and Iran re-established ties through a China-brokered agreement. The United States and Iran have been engaged in negotiations regarding a potential prisoner swap and a prospective informal deal to address Iran's nuclear program.
Regarding a fresh U.S. agreement with Iran, Netanyahu stated that any deal that fails to dismantle Iran's nuclear infrastructure is not useful. The U.S. State Department, as well as the Iranian and Russian foreign ministries, did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment on the possibility of Ukrainian-deployed systems falling under Iranian control.