Netanyahu's boast of secret visit to UAE sparks awkward denial from Abu Dhabi
Israel and the United Arab Emirates released conflicting statements on Wednesday night about a “secret” meeting that took place weeks into the war on Iran between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
The disagreement has put the alliance between the two countries under the spotlight, as the Iranian foreign minister also accused the UAE on Thursday of being "directly involved" in the war on Iran.
Initially, the Israeli prime minister’s office put out a statement saying that “in the midst of Operation Roaring Lion”, the codename for Israel’s military operation against Iran, Netanyahu “secretly visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed”.
“This visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE,” Netanyahu’s office said.
Shortly afterwards, though, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a flat denial. “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 Emirati ministry said in a statement.
Read more: Netanyahu's boast of secret visit to UAE sparks awkward denial from Abu Dhabi
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference amid the war on Iran, in Jerusalem, 19 March 2026 (Reuters)