Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during the ongoing Iran conflict, where he held an important meeting with Emirati President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office.
The Israeli government revealed that the confidential meeting took place during a critical phase of the escalating tensions involving Israel, the United States, and Iran. Officials described the meeting as a “historic breakthrough” in relations between Israel and the UAE.
The disclosure marks the first official confirmation of Netanyahu’s secret wartime visit to the Gulf nation. Reports suggest the talks focused on regional security, military coordination, and intelligence cooperation amid growing concerns over Iranian influence in the Middle East.
According to reports, senior US officials previously confirmed that Israel supplied the UAE with Iron Dome air defense systems and military personnel to strengthen protection against potential Iranian attacks.
A report published by The Wall Street Journal stated that Mossad chief David Barnea also visited the UAE multiple times during the conflict period to maintain intelligence-sharing and defense coordination between the two countries.
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Sources further claimed that Israel and the UAE remained in close contact regarding an attack on a major Iranian petrochemical facility, although neither side has officially commented on the matter.
Political analysts believe the revelation highlights rapidly evolving strategic alliances in the Middle East, where concerns over Iran’s regional role are pushing Israel and Gulf nations toward deeper cooperation.
Israel and the UAE formally normalized diplomatic ties under the Abraham Accords in 2020. Prior reports had also suggested that Netanyahu made unofficial visits to the UAE before diplomatic relations were publicly established.
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Experts say the latest disclosures indicate the emergence of a stronger regional bloc aimed at countering Iran’s influence across the Middle East.
