UAE confirms Netanyahu visit, says talks focused on bilateral ties and Iran

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the UAE for talks on bilateral ties and regional challenges. The six-hour meeting highlighted Iran's place in the talks and the resilience of Israel-UAE ties amid regional tensions.

In Short

• Emirati state news agency issued the first official confirmation of the visit on Monday
• Netanyahu's office said Sheikh Mohamed invited him for the discussions
• Israeli officials said the talks lasted six hours and centred on Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the United Arab Emirates on Sunday and met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with the discussions focusing on bilateral relations and regional challenges, according to the Emirati state news agency WAM.

The WAM report on Monday marked the first official confirmation from the UAE of Netanyahu's visit. Netanyahu's office also confirmed the trip, saying it took place at the invitation of Sheikh Mohamed.

The Israeli prime minister's office said the meeting "focused on strengthening relations between the two countries and on regional challenges".

SIX-HOUR MEETING REPORTEDLY FOCUSED ON IRAN

Three senior Israeli officials said the meeting lasted around six hours and focused on Iran. No detailed account of the discussions was immediately released by either side.

The visit comes against the backdrop of heightened regional tensions following the Iran war and renewed efforts by countries in the region to manage security and diplomatic challenges.

Earlier this year, the UAE had denied that Sheikh Mohamed met Netanyahu after the Israeli prime minister's office said in May that Netanyahu had "secretly visited" the Gulf country and met the UAE president.

A source familiar with that meeting had said Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed met in Al-Ain, an oasis city in Abu Dhabi near the country's border with Oman, on March 26.

ISRAEL-UAE TIES

The UAE and Israel established diplomatic relations under the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020. Since coming under attack during the Iran war, the UAE has strengthened its relationships with both the United States and Israel.

The relationship with Israel has given the UAE a channel for regional engagement as well as a direct link to Washington, while the two countries have maintained ties despite wider tensions in the Middle East.

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