During the recent Iran-Israel conflict, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to Netanyahu’s office.
The Israeli government said the confidential meeting took place during Operation Lion’s Roar, Israel’s military campaign against Iran. Officials described the visit as a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE, highlighting the growing cooperation between the two countries.
The announcement came shortly after US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said that Israel had deployed its Iron Dome air defense systems and military personnel to the UAE during the conflict. Netanyahu’s office did not directly confirm those remarks but emphasized the importance of the meeting.
The war began after joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, which led to retaliation across the region. According to reports, Iran targeted the UAE more than any other country during the conflict. Even after a ceasefire took effect last month, the UAE said it continued to face missile and drone attacks.
Meanwhile, presidential adviser Anwar Gargash reiterated that the UAE remains committed to diplomacy and political solutions. He stressed that the country never sought confrontation and believes relations between Arab nations and Iran should be based on dialogue rather than conflict.
The meeting underscores the UAE’s delicate role in balancing regional security concerns while maintaining its longstanding support for diplomatic engagement.
