Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren says that Washington needs Tel Aviv ‘now more than ever.’

Oren also claimed that Israel enhances American intelligence and defense capabilities and provides ports and training for US forces.

In an article published by Foreign Affairs magazine on Tuesday, the ambassador has listed some reasons behind the so-called ‘strong alliance’ with the US, Ynetnews reported Wednesday.

He also noted that the Tel Aviv “helps secure America’s borders and assists in saving American lives on and off the battlefield.”

According to Oren, US President Barack Obama had told a White House gathering that “the United States has no better friend in the world than Israel.”

Israel receives about $3 billion from the US in direct foreign assistance each year.

The United States gives Israel access to intelligence that it denies its NATO allies and has turned a blind eye to Israel’s acquisition of nuclear weapons.

Amid looming tensions between Obama and Israel’s hawkish Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the timing of the publication of the article, which was featured on the magazine’s front cover, was carefully planned ahead of Netanyahu’s scheduled visit to Washington next month.

(Press TV)