Did Benjamin Netanyahu Secretly Visit UAE During Iran War? United Arab Emirates Fact Checks Israeli Claims

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Wednesday, May 13, that Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during Israel’s military operations against Iran and held talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In a statement shared on X, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said the visit took place during “Operation Roaring Lion” and resulted in what it described as a “historic breakthrough” in relations between Israel and the UAE.

“Prime Minister's Office Statement: In the midst of Operation Roaring Lion, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. This visit has led to a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the UAE,” the post said. Is Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu Dead? Here’s the Fact Check of Fake Viral Screenshot Amid Iran Conflict.

Israel PMO 'Claims' Netanyahu Visited UAE

Fact Check: UAE Rejects the Claim

Shortly after the Israeli announcement, the UAE publicly denied the reports regarding Netanyahu’s visit as well as claims that it had received any Israeli military delegation.

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying: “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. Accordingly, any claims regarding unannounced visits or undisclosed arrangements are entirely unfounded unless officially announced by the relevant authorities in the UAE.” Has Israel Found a Cure for Cancer and Successfully Treated Benjamin Netanyahu’s Blood Cancer? Here’s the Fact Check.

UAE Refutes Israeli Claims of Secret Netanyahu Meeting With Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

The UAE statement directly contradicted the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office account and denied the existence of any undisclosed diplomatic or military coordination beyond publicly acknowledged relations.

Reports of Military Coordination During Iran Conflict

The claims emerged amid heightened regional tensions linked to the conflict between Israel and Iran. According to The Times of Israel, senior US officials said Israel had sent an Iron Dome battery and personnel to the UAE during the conflict with Iran.

The report also cited information from The Wall Street Journal stating that Mossad chief David Barnea visited the UAE at least twice during the conflict to coordinate on developments related to Iran. Arab officials and a source familiar with the matter reportedly told The Wall Street Journal that the two countries also coordinated an attack on a major Iranian petrochemical site.

Abraham Accords Context

Relations between Israel and the UAE were formally established under the Abraham Accords, brokered in 2020 with US support. Since then, the two countries have expanded cooperation across trade, security, technology and tourism. However, UAE officials have repeatedly maintained that bilateral engagement with Israel takes place through publicly acknowledged diplomatic channels.

The latest exchange of statements comes as regional tensions continue to intensify following Israeli military operations against Iran and growing concerns over broader instability in the Middle East. While Israeli officials described the alleged visit as a diplomatic breakthrough, UAE authorities categorically denied that any such secret meeting or undisclosed military arrangement took place.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 14, 2026 10:48 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).