Netanyahu secretly visits UAE during war with Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has secretly visited the United Arab Emirates and met President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed during the war with Iran, according to his office.
The meeting was described by Netanyahu's office as a "historic breakthrough" in relations between the two countries.
A source quoted in reporting said the talks took place in Al-Ain, an oasis city near the border with Oman, and lasted several hours.
The visit was confirmed on Wednesday, while the US ambassador to Israel said on Tuesday that Israeli Iron Dome air defence batteries had been sent to the UAE during the conflict.
The development comes after Iran launched missiles and drones at the UAE during the war, and after the UAE said its air defence systems had engaged two drones launched from Iran on 10 May.
Emirati presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said the UAE remained committed to political solutions and diplomacy, while also saying the country had a right to defend itself.
The reported deployment of Iron Dome batteries points to a deepening security dimension in the UAE's ties with Israel.
The system is designed to intercept and destroy a range of aerial missiles, rockets and drones.
The visit also comes against the backdrop of the Abraham Accords, which normalised relations between Israel and several Arab countries during Donald Trump's first term.
