By The South Asia Times

DUBAI - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made his first publicly confirmed visit to the United Arab Emirates since the US-Israel war with Iran, meeting President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi amid continuing regional tensions.

The UAE’s state news agency WAM confirmed Monday that Sheikh Mohamed received Netanyahu on Sunday and that the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen ties. The Israeli prime minister’s office said the visit was made at the UAE president’s invitation and focused on bilateral relations and regional challenges.

The meeting was the first publicly acknowledged visit by Netanyahu to the UAE since the conflict with Iran that began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February, according to Reuters reporting. Reuters said three senior Israeli officials described the talks as lasting about six hours and said Iran was a major focus.

The visit was not initially announced by either government. A senior Israeli official had told Reuters on Sunday that Netanyahu had traveled to Abu Dhabi and met Sheikh Mohamed, while official confirmation came the following day through WAM.

- Security concerns

Netanyahu’s office later criticized the disclosure of the trip while the Israeli delegation was still returning home, saying publication of details had endangered the prime minister, his wife and members of the delegation, including the head of the Mossad intelligence agency.

Israel’s domestic security service, Shin Bet, filed a complaint with the military censor over a report by Israeli Channel 12, according to Netanyahu’s office.

The UAE and Israel established diplomatic relations in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, making the UAE the first Gulf Arab state to formally recognize Israel.

- Iran and regional tensions

The meeting comes as the United States and Iran are engaged in renewed diplomatic contacts aimed at ending the conflict. Reuters reported Monday that US and Iranian officials had separately spoken with mediators as efforts continued to revive negotiations.

The UAE has faced security risks linked to the wider regional conflict while maintaining close relations with both Washington and Israel. Reuters reported that the relationship with Israel has provided Abu Dhabi with a channel for regional diplomacy and closer access to Washington.

The visit also comes amid renewed Israeli media reports concerning an alleged warning by Sheikh Mohamed to Netanyahu before Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Netanyahu has denied the allegation, and the UAE has not publicly confirmed the reported warning. Reuters reported that the issue has added sensitivity to the latest meeting.

The publicly confirmed encounter underscores the continued diplomatic and security contacts between Israel and the UAE as Gulf states navigate the consequences of the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict and broader regional instability.