The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has rejected claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a “secret visit” to the Gulf nation amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran. The statement issued by Netanyahu’s office on Wednesday stated that the Likud leader’s visit to the UAE was aimed at deepening bilateral and defense relations.
According to a statement from the Israeli PMO, Benjamin Netanyahu’s alleged visit to the Gulf nation led to a “historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE. “In the midst of Operation Roaring Lion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. This visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE,” the statement read.
Prime Minister’s Office Statement:
In the midst of Operation Roaring Lion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 13, 2026
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UAE rejects Netanyahu’s ‘secret visit’ claim
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) dismissed Netanyahu’s claim of a secret visit. “The United Arab Emirates 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 official statement released by the UAE read.
“The UAE reaffirms that its relations with Israel are public and conducted within the framework of the well-known and officially declared Abraham Accords, and are not based on non-transparent or unofficial arrangements. Accordingly, any claims regarding unannounced visits or undisclosed arrangements are entirely unfounded unless officially announced by the relevant authorities in the UAE,” the statement added further.
الإمارات تنفي ما يتم تداوله بشأن زيارة رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي أو استقبال وفد عسكري إسرائيلي pic.twitter.com/rl5XSzX2RG
— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) May 13, 2026
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What do the reports say?
Reuters reported citing people familiar with the matter, that Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed met on March 26, 2026. The main aim of the meeting was to coordinate defense actions during the war involving Iran, reports added. The development came after Israel PM’s office posted about the “secret meeting”.
The claim also emerged after US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee revealed that Israel sent batteries for its Iron Dome interception system to operate from the United Arab Emirates during the most intense phase of the Iran war.
UAE among first hit by the Iranian strikes
The US-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28. In response to the joint strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran targeted Gulf nations with missile and drone strikes as part of its bid to attack US bases in the region.
The UAE was attacked more than any other nation during the Iran-US-Israel war. Despite the fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, the Gulf nation has reported multiple missile and drone strikes. The UAE also remains a key ally for the US in the region and was the first Arab nation to sign the Abraham Accords.
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