Prime Minister Netanyahu blocked a 2023 request from former U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham to transfer an Iron Dome system to Ukraine. The move followed a U.S.-Israel co-production agreement that gives Israel final authority over system deployment.
Israel's embassy in Washington confirmed the decision was made due to concerns the technology could reach Iranian hands. The embassy also stated Israel returned Patriot missile batteries to the U.S. for transfer to Ukraine.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed U.S. arms exports to allies require co-production restrictions. Section 224 of the National Defense Authorization Act aims to deepen U.S.-Israeli military integration.