Israel and Arab States need to work together against Iran

In a shocking act of provocation, the Islamic Republic of Iran sent more than 200 drones and missiles screaming over the Israeli sky. Thankfully, Israel and its allies intercepted a vast majority of them, and casualties were kept to a minimum. If Iran’s goal was to kill as many Israelis as possible, it failed in this attack.

More surprising than the success of Israel’s defensive operations was the role Arab states played in them. Jordan, one of Israel’s Arab neighbor states that has been critical of the Gaza war, reportedly shot down dozens of Iranian drones in its airspace. And after the attacks, a Saudi official harshly condemned the Iranian regime, even accusing it of engineering the war in Gaza to prevent diplomatic normalization with Israel. It would seem that, at least for the moment, Arab leaders have quietly decided to join Israel’s fight against Iranian aggression.

President Joe Biden has reportedly told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States “will not participate in any offensive operations against Iran” in response to the attack. The administration likely fears further escalation, but this is a mistake. Jordan’s willingness to support Israel and the Saudis' willingness to speak out against Iran reveal just how isolated the Iranian regime has become. Arab states have had enough of the ayatollahs and could prove vital to ending their reign of terror.

To contain further aggression, Israel and its Arab neighbors’ best option is a commitment to working together. Iran is their mutual enemy. Despite historic animosities and present grievances, it is in everyone’s interest to present a united front. Only cooperation between regional powers can contain the Iranian threat, and only American leadership can bring all these countries to the table.

Read more in the Washington Examiner.