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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has denied reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the country during the recent conflict involving Iran.
The denial followed claims by Netanyahu’s office that the Israeli leader made a confidential trip to the UAE during the war and held talks with UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
According to Netanyahu’s office, the visit represented a significant development in relations between Israel and the UAE amid heightened regional tensions.
The announcement came a day after US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee disclosed that Israel had deployed Iron Dome air defence systems and personnel to the UAE during the conflict with Iran.
While the Israeli government did not directly confirm the military deployment claims, it linked the alleged visit to ongoing cooperation between both countries.
However, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejected reports suggesting Netanyahu visited the country or that any Israeli military delegation had been received.
In a statement issued by the ministry, it said that the UAE’s relationship with Israel is conducted openly and not through undisclosed arrangements or unofficial engagements.
“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,” its foreign ministry said.
“The UAE reaffirms that its relations with Israel are public and… are not based on non-transparent or unofficial arrangements. Accordingly, any claims regarding unannounced visits or undisclosed arrangements are entirely unfounded unless officially announced by the relevant authorities in the UAE,” it added.
The ministry maintained that any claims regarding secret visits or hidden agreements were unfounded unless officially announced by UAE authorities.
The UAE was among the countries affected during the conflict, with authorities reporting multiple missile and drone attacks launched by Iran following the escalation triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets earlier in the year.
