Netanyahu Office Claims Secret UAE Visit During Iran Conflict, Emiratis Deny It
Israel claimed Netanyahu visited UAE secretly, but Emirati authorities denied the report.
A rare public diplomatic dispute emerged on Thursday after the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed he had secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during the recent Iran conflict, only for Abu Dhabi to issue a strong and immediate denial. The disagreement exposed unusual tensions between the two countries, which established formal ties under the Abraham Accords in 2020.
In a statement posted on social media, Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli leader had “secretly visited” the UAE during “Operation Roaring Lion” and met UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. A follow-up statement described the alleged meeting as a “historic breakthrough” in relations between Israel and the UAE amid heightened regional instability linked to the Israel-Iran conflict.
The announcement came as countries across the Middle East continue to reassess security and diplomatic alignments following months of confrontation involving Iran. Israel has been seeking to strengthen regional partnerships during the crisis, while Gulf nations have attempted to balance strategic relations with both Western allies and regional powers.
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However, the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly rejected the Israeli claims. In an official statement, the ministry said the UAE “denies reports circulating regarding an alleged visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the UAE, or receiving any Israeli military delegation in the country.” The statement marked an unusually direct rebuttal between the two Abraham Accords partners.
The UAE further stressed that its relations with Israel are conducted openly within the framework of the Abraham Accords and are not based on “non-transparent or unofficial arrangements.” Abu Dhabi also called on media organisations to maintain professionalism and avoid spreading “unverified information” or “misleading political narratives.”
Israeli officials had not publicly responded to the UAE’s denial at the time of reporting. The exchange nevertheless highlighted the delicate diplomatic environment in the region, where ongoing tensions involving Iran, shifting alliances and security cooperation continue to shape relations between Middle Eastern governments.
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