On Tuesday, Israel conducted a joint missile test over the Mediterranean Sea with the U.S. as it remains anxious over Syria.
BBC News reports that it was told by a senior Israeli defense official that it was just a test of its defense systems. Richard Galpin of the BBC, who is in Jerusalem, also said that missile tests are planned in advance, though it’s a sign Israel is worried about potential retaliatory attacks from Syria.
The Defense Ministry claimed the country’s Arrow Ballistic Missile Defense system was able to successfully detect and track a medium-range guide missile that was used for the test.
The Israeli missile test had far reaching effects, Bussinessweek notes. Stock and oil markets were rattled by the joint tests.
The Pentagon claims it only offered “technical assistance and support” for the missile test. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the test showed the country’s defense were an “iron wall, iron dome and iron will.”
“These are the things that give us the strength to defend ourselves, and to anyone who is thinking to attack us – it’s not worthwhile,” the prime minister added.
Aaron David Miller, vice president at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars in Washington, commented that the demonstration should serve as a signal.
“Nobody tests a missile system in the middle of an environment like this without being aware of it being interpreted as a message or signal.”