[59442] Regional tension: UAE denies reports of PM Netanyahu's visit
[59442] Regional tension: UAE denies reports of PM Netanyahu's visit
The UAE has issued an official denial of reports regarding a secret visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the country, following threats from the Iranian Foreign Minister.
Tension surrounding reports of Netanyahu's visit to the UAE
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a sweeping denial of reports regarding a visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or the hosting of an Israeli military delegation on its soil. In an official statement published today, May 14, 2026, the country emphasized that its relations with Israel are public and transparent under the framework of the 'Abraham Accords,' and that they are not based on "secrecy or hidden arrangements." According to reports in Amir Tsarfati and Abu Ali Express in English, the Emirati Foreign Ministry called on media outlets to act with accuracy and responsibility and not rely on unverified information.
The Emirati denial came just minutes after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Tehran's security services had been aware of Netanyahu's visit for a long time, and that they had warned the UAE against ties with Israel, noting that "those who do so will pay the price" (according to a joint report).
Against this background, the Amir Tsarfati channel notes that the Iranian news agencies 'Fars' and 'Tasnim' circulated footage from flight tracking systems, which they claim display Netanyahu's flight path to the UAE on March 26. Conversely, Abu Ali Express in English – a channel focusing on intelligence and the Palestinian and regional arena – previously claimed that Netanyahu did indeed fly to the UAE during 'Operation Lion's Roar' and met with the country's president, while highlighting the tense geographical proximity between Iran and the Emirates.