At the height of Israel’s military campaign in Iran this spring, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, “paid a secret visit” to the United Arab Emirates to meet its leader, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the Israeli leader’s office.

But hours after the statement was published, the U.A.E. denied that the visit had taken place.

The back and forth showcased the sensitivities over the relationship. The Emiratis, who bore the brunt of Iran’s attacks on its neighbors throughout the war, have doubled down on an alliance with Israel, deploying Israeli defense systems and exchanging high-level leadership calls. But public opinion in the Arab world remains largely anti-Israel.

Iran weighed in, too, with a warning. In a social media post, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s foreign minister, said “collusion with Israel” is “unforgivable.” He then vowed that those working with Israel “will be held to account,” but didn’t directly name the Emirates.

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https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/13/world/middleeast/netanyahu-uae-iran-war.html