Israel's growing ties with Arab partners are holding Iran back, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid said after a summit with counterparts from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Egypt.

"What we are doing here today is making history," he said. "Building a new regional architecture based on progress, technology, religious tolerance, security and intelligence cooperation.

"This new architecture, the shared capabilities we are building, intimidates and deters our common enemies – first and foremost Iran and it’s proxies – they certainly have something to fear.

"What will stop them is not hesitation or being conciliatory, but rather determination and strength.

"Friends, we are standing here in the Negev, where our common father went after signing the original Abraham Accords, between him and God.

In the book of Genesis, it is written, “then Abraham set out, and continued towards the Negev.”

"He came here to build a better future for his people and his family. We are here for the same reason.

"The history of the Middle East is the story of smart and tough people who made the desert bloom. Our peoples are those who stopped right here and said, in this place, in this desert: we will make life flourish. From this desert will spring forth palaces and temples, schools and hospitals, inspirational art and literature, and groundbreaking technology."