UAE confirms Netanyahu’s secret visit; Iran dominated six-hour talks

The United Arab Emirates on Monday confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Gulf country on Sunday, saying his meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan focused on bilateral relations. Israeli officials, meanwhile, said the talks also focused on Iran.The UAE’s state news agency WAM reported that Sheikh Mohamed and Netanyahu discussed bilateral relations during the visit. It was the first official confirmation from Abu Dhabi of Netanyahu’s trip.Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister had travelled to the UAE at the invitation of Sheikh Mohamed. The visit “focused on strengthening relations between the two countries and on regional challenges”, his office said.Three senior Israeli officials told Reuters that the meeting lasted six hours and focused on Iran, according to the report. Earlier accounts had described the meeting as lasting about an hour.The visit was first reported by Israel’s Channel 12 television station.