The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates has denied a secret visit by Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, to the country during the war with Iran.
The ministry said today (Thursday, May 15) that “the United Arab Emirates denies the reports regarding the alleged visit of Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, to the UAE or the acceptance of any Israeli military delegation in the country.”
Last night, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office officially announced that Netanyahu had made a secret trip to the UAE during the war with Iran and had met and held talks with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates.
The Prime Minister’s Office added that “this visit resulted in a historic advancement in relations between Israel and the UAE.”
However, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the country’s relations with Israel are transparent and based on the Abraham Accords and “are not based on opaque or unofficial arrangements.”
The ministry further added: “Accordingly, any claims about undisclosed visits or unannounced arrangements are completely unfounded, unless officially confirmed by the relevant authorities in the UAE.”
In response to the news of Netanyahu’s secret visit to the UAE, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, said that “Netanyahu has now openly revealed what Iran’s security agencies had long reported to our leadership.”
He added: “Hostility toward the great nation of Iran is a foolish gamble; cooperating and colluding with Israel in this path is unforgivable. Those who play a role in collusion with Israel to create division must be held accountable.”
Since the start of the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran, the UAE has been targeted by extensive Iranian missile and drone attacks. The country has consistently condemned these attacks and stated that it reserves the right to respond.
In recent days, the Wall Street Journal reported that the UAE had secretly attacked Lavan Island in Iran, though it did not officially claim responsibility.
Since the beginning of the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran, relations between the UAE and Iran have been tense, and officials from both sides have repeatedly made harsh statements against each other.
Writer:Salima Hakimi
