DUBAI,— The United Arab Emirates on Thursday denied a statement from the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he made a secret visit to the country and met President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed.

Netanyahu’s office said on Wednesday that the Israeli premier traveled to the UAE during the war with Iran and held talks with Sheikh Mohammed. It described the meeting as an “historic breakthrough” in ties between the two countries.

In a statement, the Emirati foreign ministry said relations between the UAE and Israel are “public” and are not based on unofficial or hidden agreements.

“Reports about unannounced visits or secret arrangements are baseless unless they are officially confirmed by the relevant UAE authorities,” the ministry said.

The statement also denied receiving any Israeli military delegation.

A source familiar with the matter said Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed met in Al Ain, a city near the Oman border, on March 26, 2026. The source said the meeting lasted several hours.

The same source said Mossad chief Dedi Barnea made at least two visits to the UAE during the Iran war to coordinate military action. The Wall Street Journal was the first to report the intelligence chief’s visits.

The UAE has strengthened ties with the United States and Israel since coming under attack during the Iran war. The country established formal relations with Israel in the 2020 Abraham Accords.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirmed on Tuesday that Israel sent Iron Dome batteries and personnel to operate them in the UAE during the conflict.

Axios reported in April that Israel transferred an Iron Dome system to the UAE early in the war. Earlier in May, the Financial Times reported that Israel also deployed a version of its Iron Beam laser air defense system in the UAE.

Iranian strikes during the conflict hit civilian infrastructure and energy facilities in the UAE more heavily than in neighboring Gulf states.

Unlike several Gulf countries, the UAE has a pipeline that allows some oil exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, reducing the impact of possible disruptions.

(With files from UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Reuters, Agencies)

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