Israel blocks Turkey's attempt to sell Russian S-400 missiles to Saudi Arabia via UAE
Turkey's effort to offload its Russian S-400 air-defence missiles hit a snag after Israel reportedly pressured the UAE to cancel a planned transfer to Saudi Arabia.
For seven years Ankara has been unable to find a buyer for its Russian-made S-400 systems. Recent negotiations with the United Arab Emirates to route the missiles to Saudi Arabia were allegedly thwarted when Israel intervened, urging Abu Dhabi to abandon the deal. The episode highlights Israel’s consistent opposition to the weapons reaching the Gulf kingdom and Turkey’s ongoing struggle to dispose of the controversial arsenal.
Why it matters
The incident reveals how Israel influences Middle-East arms deals and the challenges Turkey faces in selling its controversial Russian missiles.
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