Netanyahu's office says he visited UAE, Gulf state denies claim
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a "secret" visit to the UAE during the US-Israeli war on Iran, Netanyahu’s office said in a statement on Wednesday, which sparked an unusual denial from the Gulf state.
"During Operation 'Lion's Roar', Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan," the statement said.
The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a denial of the visit a few hours after the official Israeli statement.
The Israeli announcement comes the day after US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirmed that Israel sent Iron Dome air defence batteries, along with soldiers to operate them, to the UAE to defend against Iranian attacks.
Read more: Israel's Netanyahu says he visited UAE, as Gulf state issues rare denial