JEDDAH, 21 June 2022, (TON): Israel is building a US-backed regional air defense alliance that has already foiled Iranian attacks, Defense Minister Benny Gantz revealed.

Gantz said “the program would strengthen the cooperation between Israel and countries in the region.”

He hoped to move it forward during Joe Biden’s visit next month. The US president is visiting the region from July 13-16, with stops in the occupied West Bank, Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Gantz said “the defense alliance was already operative and has already enabled the successful interception of Iranian attempts to attack Israel and other countries.”

As tensions mount over Tehran’s nuclear program, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel and parts of Iraq have been hit by drone and missile strikes by Iranian-backed militias.