UAE Denies Netanyahu Visit Amid Secret Trip Claims

UAE vs Israel – (Web Desk) – The UAE denies Netanyahu visit claims that surfaced this week, pushing back against an announcement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s office that said he had secretly traveled to the country and met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the recent war with Iran.

Netanyahu’s office made the announcement on Wednesday. It stated he had paid a quiet, unannounced visit to the UAE — a trip they described as a “historic breakthrough” in ties between the two nations.

The news came just one day after US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee revealed that Israel had deployed its Iron Dome air-defence systems to the UAE during the conflict, along with trained personnel to operate them.

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.

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 13, 2026

The UAE’s foreign ministry responded firmly. It said any claims about unannounced visits or hidden arrangements are “entirely unfounded” unless officially confirmed by UAE authorities. It also stressed that its relationship with Israel is open, public, and built on transparency.

Interestingly, the UAE stopped short of directly denying the visit itself — it only denied the “reports” circulating about it. That small but important detail has raised eyebrows among political observers.

الإمارات تنفي ما يتم تداوله بشأن زيارة رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي أو استقبال وفد عسكري إسرائيلي pic.twitter.com/rl5XSzX2RG

— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) May 13, 2026

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi did not hold back. He said Netanyahu had simply confirmed what Iranian intelligence already knew. He called any Arab collaboration with Israel against Iran “unforgivable” and warned those involved would be held accountable.

Iran had targeted the UAE more than any other country during the war. Even after a ceasefire took effect last month, the UAE has continued to report incoming missile and drone strikes from Iran.

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.

— Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 13, 2026

The UAE is a close US ally and one of the Arab states that officially normalized ties with Israel through the Abraham Accords, signed during Donald Trump’s first presidential term in 2020.