Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that he undertook a clandestine visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the height of the conflict with Iran, aiming to hold discussions with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Netanyahu’s office highlighted that this meeting marked a significant advancement in the Israel-UAE relations. The encounter reportedly took place on March 26 in Al Ain, a city near the Oman border, where the leaders engaged in several hours of dialogue.
During the ongoing tensions with Iran, Israel’s Mossad director, David Barnea, reportedly made multiple trips to the UAE to strategize military operations. This development was further underscored by the revelation that Israel had deployed its Iron Dome air defense system to the UAE, along with military specialists, as part of their cooperation during the conflict. The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, emphasized the strong relationship between the two nations, noting the shared defense initiatives.
However, the UAE foreign ministry refuted claims of Netanyahu’s visit, labeling them as unfounded. Simultaneously, reports emerged that the UAE had conducted its own covert military actions against Iran, including a strike on a refinery located on Lavan Island in early April, in response to Iranian assaults on its oil infrastructure. These actions signify a deepening alliance between Israel and the UAE, which was initially formalized in 2020 when the UAE became the first Islamic nation to normalize relations with Israel through the Abraham Accords, followed by Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.
The UAE has notably distanced itself from Saudi Arabia, exemplified by its departure from the Saudi-led OPEC oil cartel, a move that has implications for global oil market dynamics. The strengthening ties between Israel and the UAE have been bolstered by their shared connections with the Trump administration, yet remain susceptible to shifts in U.S. policy under different leadership. Both nations are facing international scrutiny over alleged war crimes, with Israel being accused of genocide in Gaza and the UAE believed to be supporting the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, despite the UAE’s denial of such allegations.