UAE Denies Netanyahu’s Claim of Secret Planning Visit During Iran Conflict

The United Arab Emirates has denied a claim by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he met with the Gulf nation’s president in a “secret” visit during the war with Iran. Mr. Netanyahu’s office announced on Wednesday evening that in the midst of the recent war the Israeli leader “secretly visited the United Arab Emirates,” where he met with the UAE’s president, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.“This visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE,” Mr. Netanyahu’s office said. The UAE quickly repudiated claims of such a visit, saying the country “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 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,” the foreign ministry said in a statement released on Thursday.“Accordingly, any claims regarding unannounced visits or undisclosed arrangements are entirely unfounded unless officially announced by the relevant authorities in the UAE,” the statement continued. “The UAE calls on media outlets to exercise accuracy and professionalism, and to refrain from circulating unverified information or promoting misleading political narratives. A source familiar with the issue told the New York Sun that Mr. Netanyahu did indeed visit the UAE on March 26 and that both Mossad chief David Barnea and Shin Bet intelligence chief David Zini accompanied him on the trip.“Several planes departed from Israel directly to Abu Dhabi,” the source said. “The meeting was all about security collaboration between UAE and Israel.”Mr. Barnea visited the UAE “at least twice” during the war, the source added. The Wall Street Journal also previously reported that Mr. Barnea visited the UAE. Iran, which has fired hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at the UAE since the war broke out on February 28, also commented on Mr. Netanyahu’s announcement. “Netanyahu has now publicly revealed what Iran’s security services long ago conveyed to our leadership,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote in a post on X. “Enmity with the Great People of Iran is a foolish gamble. Collusion with Israel in doing so: unforgivable.” In a thinly veiled threat against the UAE, he added: “Those colluding with Israel to sow division will be held to account.” US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirmed earlier this week that Israel sent its advanced Iron Dome air defense systems to the UAE during the war to help the country defend against Iranian missile attacks. “They were the first Abraham Accord member,” Mr. Huckabee said. “But look at the benefits that they have had as a result: Israel just sent them Iron Dome batteries and personnel to help operate them. How come? Because there’s an extraordinary relationship between the UAE and Israel.” Addressing Gulf nations directly, the ambassador said: “Israel is not your natural enemy. Israel is not out to destroy you. Israel is not trying to take over your land. It’s not sending missiles into your civilian territories. Who’s doing that? Iran is.”

UAE Denies Netanyahu’s Claim of Secret Planning Visit During Iran Conflict

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