Overview
- Israel’s prime minister’s office disclosed Wednesday it had quietly arranged a Netanyahu visit to the United Arab Emirates during late February to early April as U.S. and Israeli forces acted against Iran.
- Officials in Jerusalem said Netanyahu met UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed for talks focused on security cooperation related to Iran.
- The UAE foreign ministry denied that Netanyahu visited, leaving key details contested in public.
- Multiple outlets report Israel sent Iron Dome air-defense batteries and several dozen operators to the UAE, and the Financial Times says an advanced laser interceptor was also supplied; Iron Dome is designed to shoot down short-range rockets before they hit cities or bases.
- Reporting links the secret diplomacy and hardware to Iran-linked strikes that hit Gulf targets, with the UAE described as hard-hit, and analysts say the cooperation could encourage broader Arab engagement with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords.