Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during the Iran war. However, Abu Dhabi denied the Netanyahu UAE visit claim as “entirely unfounded.”
Netanyahu’s office said he met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It described the meeting as a “historic breakthrough” in relations between Israel and the Gulf state.
The UAE Foreign Ministry denied reports of any visit by Netanyahu or an Israeli military delegation. It said relations with Israel are public and conducted under the Abraham Accords, the 2020 normalisation agreements.
Reuters cited a source as saying the meeting took place in Al Ain, an oasis city near Oman, and lasted several hours. Additionally, the UAE rejected what it called non-transparent or unofficial narratives.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Netanyahu had revealed what Tehran’s security services had long told Iranian leaders. He called collusion with Israel “unforgivable.”
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Israel sent Iron Dome anti-missile batteries to help the UAE counter Iranian attacks. He cited an “extraordinary relationship” based on the Abraham Accords.
The UAE said earlier it remained committed to diplomacy but had the right to defend itself after Iranian missile and drone attacks during the conflict.
