Netanyahu Says He Met UAE President in Secret Amid Iran War

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that he secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during the recent war involving Iran, describing the alleged trip as a “historic breakthrough” in relations between the two countries.

According to statements from Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli leader reportedly met with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a covert visit held at the height of the regional conflict. Israeli officials said the meeting strengthened strategic cooperation between both nations amid growing tensions in the Middle East.

The revelation came shortly after reports emerged that Israeli security officials, including Mossad chief David Barnea, had allegedly travelled to the UAE multiple times during the conflict to coordinate security and military matters linked to the war with Iran. Reports also indicated that Israel deployed elements of its Iron Dome defence system to help protect Emirati territory from possible Iranian attacks.

However, the UAE swiftly denied Netanyahu’s claims. In a statement, the Emirati Foreign Ministry described reports of a secret visit by Netanyahu or any Israeli military delegation as “baseless” and “entirely unfounded.” The ministry stressed that relations between the UAE and Israel are conducted publicly under the framework of the Abraham Accords and not through undisclosed arrangements.

The conflicting accounts have added fresh intrigue to the already complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding the Iran conflict and the growing but sensitive ties between Israel and Gulf Arab states.

The UAE and Israel formally normalised relations in 2020 under the Abraham Accords, a US-backed agreement that reshaped diplomatic alliances in the Middle East. Since then, both countries have expanded cooperation in trade, technology, intelligence, and security despite regional criticism and ongoing tensions linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict.