Netanyahu Says Secret UAE Visit During Iran War Led to Diplomatic Breakthrough
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says a covert visit to the United Arab Emirates during the recent Iran conflict led to a significant diplomatic breakthrough between the countries, while Emirati officials deny that any unannounced meeting occurred • Full Story
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has revealed that he made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates during the height of the recent war with Iran, saying the meeting produced a “historic breakthrough” in relations between the two countries.
According to Netanyahu’s office, the visit took place on March 26 in the Emirati city of Al Ain, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The discussions focused on strategic coordination during the regional conflict and broader diplomatic and security cooperation.
The Prime Minister’s Office characterized the trip as a highly sensitive and previously undisclosed mission carried out during wartime conditions, when tensions across the Middle East were at their peak. The meeting marked a significant deepening of ties between Israel and the UAE, which normalized relations under the 2020 Abraham Accords.
However, the UAE rejected the claim that any such secret visit occurred. In a statement, the Emirati Foreign Ministry said that relations with Israel are conducted transparently and only through officially announced channels, stressing that “any claims regarding unannounced visits or undisclosed arrangements are entirely unfounded unless officially confirmed by the UAE government.”
The conflicting accounts come as both countries continue to navigate a complex regional landscape shaped by the Iran conflict, which has intensified intelligence sharing, military coordination concerns, and diplomatic maneuvering among Gulf states and Israel.
Despite the denial from Abu Dhabi, Israeli officials have stood by their account of the meeting, describing it as part of ongoing behind-the-scenes diplomacy aimed at strengthening regional alliances against Iranian influence.
Reports also suggest that during the war period, Israeli intelligence chief David Barnea made multiple visits to the UAE to coordinate security matters.
The disclosure has sparked renewed attention on the quiet expansion of Israel–UAE relations since normalization, particularly in areas of defense cooperation, intelligence sharing, and economic ties—often conducted away from public view despite official diplomatic recognition.
As of now, no independent confirmation of the meeting has been provided by Emirati authorities, and the diplomatic dispute over what occurred in Al Ain remains unresolved.
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