Netanyahu Secretly Met UAE President During Iran War, PMO Says

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during the war with Iran and met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Prime Minister’s Office said Wednesday.

According to the PMO, the visit led to a “historic breakthrough” in relations between Israel and the UAE. The office did not immediately release further details about the meeting or the understandings reached during the visit.

Security Ties Between Israel and the UAE Appear to Deepen

The reported visit comes amid signs of growing security cooperation between Jerusalem and Abu Dhabi during the war with Iran.

Earlier Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that Mossad chief David Barnea also traveled to the UAE during the war to help coordinate military activity. According to the report, Barnea visited the Emirates at least twice as part of war-related coordination.

The Journal said the secret visits reflected a closer partnership between Israel and the Gulf state, with the two countries maintaining steady security coordination throughout the fighting.

Iron Dome Batteries Sent to Defend the UAE

U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee confirmed that Israel sent Iron Dome batteries and dozens of military personnel to the UAE to help protect the country from Iranian attacks.

The move points to a major shift in regional defense cooperation, with Israel and the UAE working more openly against the shared threat from Tehran.

Reports also said the UAE struck targets inside Iran during the war, including a refinery.

A Major Step in Israel-UAE Relations

Israel and the UAE normalized relations under the Abraham Accords, but the latest reports suggest the relationship has moved deeper into security and defense coordination.

The PMO’s description of the Netanyahu visit as a “historic breakthrough” signals that both countries may be moving toward a stronger strategic partnership, especially as Iran continues to threaten Israel and other regional states.

For Israel, closer ties with the UAE strengthen the regional front against Iran. For the UAE, cooperation with Israel offers access to proven defense systems and intelligence capabilities at a time of rising danger from Tehran.

The full details of Netanyahu’s secret visit remain undisclosed, but the message is clear: Israel and the UAE are tightening their partnership in the face of a common enemy.