Saudi Arabia has firmly rejected reports that its officials took part in talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his unannounced visit to the United Arab Emirates, insisting its position on Israel has not changed.
A Saudi official told AFP on Tuesday: "No official meetings. No talks. Nothing whatsoever. Our stance on Israel remains unchanged." The denial followed reports in Israeli media that Saudi representatives had joined a wider meeting after Netanyahu's talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Those reports said the discussions centred on security cooperation, Iran, Yemen's Houthis and regional defence systems.
Netanyahu's unannounced Abu Dhabi visit
Netanyahu travelled to Abu Dhabi on Sunday for a one-day visit that his office did not announce in advance, according to Israeli officials, and met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. The UAE later confirmed the meeting through its state news agency WAM, saying the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen Israel-UAE ties.
The two countries established formal diplomatic relations in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, and cooperation has since expanded into trade, technology, investment and security. The UAE has sought to maintain ties with Israel and the US while protecting its own security and regional interests, Reuters reported.
Iran condemns the visit
Iran's foreign ministry strongly condemned Netanyahu's presence in the UAE on Tuesday, warning of "highly dangerous consequences" and urging countries across the region to remain vigilant. The ministry's statement described the Israeli prime minister in harsh terms and called his presence in the region "extremely dangerous and alarming."
Sources:
- 'No talks, our stance on Israel remains unchanged': Saudi Arabia denies talks with Netanyahu in UAE
- Saudi Arabia denies talks with Netanyahu in UAE: official
A Saudi official told AFP on Tuesday: "No official meetings. No talks. Nothing whatsoever. Our stance on Israel remains unchanged." The denial followed reports in Israeli media that Saudi representatives had joined a wider meeting after Netanyahu's talks with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Those reports said the discussions centred on security cooperation, Iran, Yemen's Houthis and regional defence systems.
Netanyahu's unannounced Abu Dhabi visit
Netanyahu travelled to Abu Dhabi on Sunday for a one-day visit that his office did not announce in advance, according to Israeli officials, and met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. The UAE later confirmed the meeting through its state news agency WAM, saying the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen Israel-UAE ties.
The two countries established formal diplomatic relations in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords, and cooperation has since expanded into trade, technology, investment and security. The UAE has sought to maintain ties with Israel and the US while protecting its own security and regional interests, Reuters reported.
Iran condemns the visit
Iran's foreign ministry strongly condemned Netanyahu's presence in the UAE on Tuesday, warning of "highly dangerous consequences" and urging countries across the region to remain vigilant. The ministry's statement described the Israeli prime minister in harsh terms and called his presence in the region "extremely dangerous and alarming."
Sources:
- 'No talks, our stance on Israel remains unchanged': Saudi Arabia denies talks with Netanyahu in UAE
- Saudi Arabia denies talks with Netanyahu in UAE: official
