Netanyahu Claims Secret UAE Visit Amid Denials and US Praise

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he secretly met the UAE president during the Iran conflict, while Abu Dhabi denies the trip and a US official praises the bilateral ties.

On March 26, Netanyahu’s office announced a meeting in Al Ain with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s ruler.

The statement said the encounter produced a historic breakthrough in Israel‑UAE relations.

Netanyahu framed the visit as part of coordination during the war with Iran, saying it helped align military actions.

A source told Reuters that Israel’s Mossad chief, David Barnea (Israel’s intelligence agency), had made at least two trips to the Emirates to share intelligence.

The Wall Street Journal first reported those intelligence visits.

On Tuesday, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Israel had sent Iron Dome batteries (its short‑range rocket defence system) and specialists to operate them for the UAE.

He added, "There's an extraordinary relationship between the UAE and Israel."

The UAE foreign ministry responded that claims of Netanyahu’s visit are baseless.

Abu Dhabi said no such meeting took place and called the reports unfounded.

The alleged visit would add to a series of covert contacts that have deepened security ties since the 2020 Abraham Accords.

In that year the UAE became the first Arab state to normalize relations with Israel, followed by Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.

Since then, Emirati leaders have pursued an independent foreign policy, most recently leaving the Saudi‑led OPEC cartel.

Both Israel and the UAE have benefited from close ties with the Trump administration, but face uncertainty if US policy shifts.

Observers warn that any change in Washington could affect joint defence projects and intelligence sharing.

What to watch next: whether Abu Dhabi will confirm or deny further high‑level meetings and how Washington’s stance evolves.