Conflicting reports over reported Netanyahu visit to the UAE

On May 13, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had visited the United Arab Emirates during the recent conflict with Iran to meet with President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to this report, the meeting took place on March 26 in Al Ain and resulted in significant progress in bilateral relations. However, on May 14, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official denial, stating that no such visit or meeting occurred. The Emirati statement emphasized that their relations with Israel are transparent and not based on secret arrangements. Additionally, media reports suggested that Israel deployed air defense systems and personnel to the UAE during the conflict, though the Israeli Prime Minister's office did not confirm this. The conflict, which began on February 28 following a joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, involved reported Iranian missile and drone strikes against the UAE. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained that any claims of undisclosed visits are baseless unless officially confirmed by their government.