Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a secret meeting with the president of the United Arab Emirates during the war with Iran, according to the Israeli premier's office on Wednesday.
During Operation Lion's Roar, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a secret visit to the UAE, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, a statement from his office read.
Wednesday's announcement came a day after US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee revealed that Israel had sent its Iron Dome air defence systems and personnel to operate them in the UAE during the Iran war, marking the first public confirmation of the deployment.
While stopping short of confirming Huckabee's remarks, Netanyahu's office described the visit as a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
Iran targeted the UAE more than any other country during the war, which was sparked by US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic at the end of February. Besides attacking Israeli territory, Tehran targeted Gulf states hosting US military bases and virtually blockaded the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 percent of the global crude oil supply passes.
Despite a ceasefire that came into effect on April 8, the UAE has since reported multiple missile and drone attacks from Iran.
The oil-rich kingdom is a key Washington ally in the region and among the Arab nations with official ties to Israel after signing the Abraham Accords in 2020, during US President Donald Trump's first term.
