Benjamin Netanyahu's office says he had secret meeting with UAE president - but Emirates deny claim

Benjamin Netanyahu's office said he secretly visited the United Arab Emirates earlier this year during the US-Israeli war with Iran - but the UAE has denied the trip took place.

The Israeli prime minister's team said he had a meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan which led to an "historic breakthrough" in relations between the two countries.

The office did not reveal more details of the breakthrough, but the gathering was ⁠in Al Ain, an oasis city near the ⁠Oman border, on 26 March and lasted several hours, according to Reuters.

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However, the UAE's foreign ministry denied the meeting happened, saying in a statement that Emirati relations with Israel "are public" and "not based on non-transparent or unofficial arrangements".

"Any claims regarding unannounced visits or ​undisclosed arrangements are entirely unfounded unless officially announced by the relevant authorities in the UAE," the statement said.

The UAE has faced Iranian missile and drone attacks even after the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran was reached last month.

The Netanyahu announcement came a day after the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said Israel had sent Iron Dome air defence weapons and operators to the UAE.

The deployment of Israel's military there demonstrates the growing ties between the two countries, which normalised relations in the 2020 Abraham Accords.

Following the Netanyahu revelations, Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said collusion with Israel was "unforgivable".

Mr Araghchi said on X: "Netanyahu has now publicly revealed what Iran's security services long ago conveyed to our leadership.

"Enmity with the Great People of Iran is a foolish gamble. Collusion with Israel in doing so: unforgivable.

"Those colluding with Israel to sow division will be held to account."

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Iran's strikes on Gulf states in response to the US-Israeli attacks, which started in late February, have targeted the UAE more than its neighbours, hitting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities.

Unlike several Gulf peers, the UAE ⁠has a pipeline that means it can divert some ​oil exports around the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, making it more able to withstand ​prolonged disruption.

But the war risks severely damaging its role as a global economic centre that offers security in the region.

(c) Sky News 2026: Benjamin Netanyahu's office says he had secret meeting with UAE president - but Emirates deny