Israeli Army Chief’s Secret UAE Visit Adds to Growing Iran War Revelations
New reports revealed expanding Israeli-UAE wartime coordination, prompting Iranian condemnation and renewed scrutiny of Gulf alliances.
Key Developments
- Israeli media reported that army chief Eyal Zamir secretly visited the UAE during the war on Iran.
- Zamir reportedly met UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and senior security officials.
- The visit followed reports of secret meetings involving Benjamin Netanyahu and Israeli intelligence officials.
- Iran condemned what it described as “betrayal” and covert coordination with Israel.
Israeli Army Chief Visited UAE during Iran War
Israeli media revealed on Friday that Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during the war on Iran, amid reports of expanding security and military coordination between Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv.
According to Israel’s Kan broadcaster, Zamir traveled to Abu Dhabi accompanied by a senior military and security delegation.
The report described the visit as unprecedented, given both its timing and the regional security situation.
Kan said Zamir met UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with senior Emirati military and security officials.
According to the report, discussions focused on security consultations directly linked to the war with Iran and its regional consequences.
Series of Secret Meetings Reported
The reported visit came only days after reports emerged regarding another secret wartime trip involving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu’s office later confirmed that the Israeli premier secretly visited the UAE and met Mohammed bin Zayed during the conflict.
According to a source cited by Reuters news agency, the meeting took place on March 26 in Al Ain near the Omani border and lasted several hours.
Reports indicated the disclosure angered Emirati officials.
Israeli media, including Channel 12, reported that Abu Dhabi expressed concern over revelations related to sensitive security coordination and feared possible Iranian reactions.
Officials reportedly sent strongly worded messages regarding the handling of security-related disclosures.
Earlier reports had also indicated that former Mossad chief David Barnea visited the UAE at least twice during the conflict.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Barnea traveled to the UAE in March and April as part of consultations linked to the war on Iran.
Iran Condemns ‘Betrayal’
Iran strongly criticized reports of covert coordination between neighboring states and Israel.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei reacted on Friday with a message posted on X.
“He who betrays in secret will certainly be exposed in public,” Baghaei wrote.
His remarks followed continuing reports about covert meetings and military cooperation between Israel and Gulf states.
Iranian officials have repeatedly warned neighboring countries against facilitating military operations targeting Iran or allowing their territory to be used in broader regional confrontations.
Expanding Military Coordination
Reports also pointed to expanding military cooperation between Israel and the UAE during the conflict.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said earlier this week that Israel deployed Iron Dome batteries and military personnel to the UAE during the war.
Western reports also suggested Israel maintained a limited military presence in the country as part of defensive cooperation aimed at countering missile and drone threats.
The Wall Street Journal additionally reported that the UAE carried out covert operations against Iran during the conflict.
Separately, Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia carried out covert strikes on Iran following attacks targeting American assets inside the kingdom.
Observers said the latest revelations reflect an increasingly open security relationship between Israel and Gulf states that normalized ties under the Abraham Accords, while regional tensions surrounding the war on Iran continue to reshape alliances.
(PC, QNN, Al Mayadeen, Reuters, Israeli media)