Benjamin Netanyahu held a “secretly” visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and held a meeting with its president during the war with Iran, according to the Israeli premier’s office on Wednesday.“During Operation ‘Lion’s Roar’, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid a secret visit to the UAE, where he met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan,” a statement from his office read.Wednesday’s announcement came a day after US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee revealed that Israel had sent its Iron Dome air defence systems and personnel to operate them in the UAE during the Iran war, marking the first public confirmation of the deployment.Also Read: US ambassador to Israel says Israel sent Iron Dome batteries, personnel to UAE to defend countryWhile stopping short of confirming Huckabee’s remarks, Netanyahu’s office described the visit as “a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.”Iran targeted the UAE more than any other country during the war, which was sparked by US-Israeli strikes on the Islamic republic at the end of February. Besides attacking Israeli territory, Tehran targeted Gulf states hosting US military bases and virtually blockaded the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% of the global crude oil supply passes.Also Read: UAE secretly joined Iran war? Report claims covert strikes hit key oil refineryDespite a ceasefire that came into effect on April 8, the UAE has since reported multiple missile and drone attacks from Iran.The oil-rich kingdom is a key Washington ally in the region and among the Arab nations with official ties to Israel after signing the Abraham Accords in 2020, during US President Donald Trump’s first term.(With AFP inputs)
