Netanyahu makes secret UAE visit, discusses Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, US media outlet CNN has reported.

Citing an Israeli source familiar with the visit, CNN said Netanyahu met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. According to the same source, regional security concerns linked to Iran were the main topic of the meeting.

Israeli media reported that Netanyahu traveled to Abu Dhabi on a private plane. However, Netanyahu's office and the UAE's Foreign Ministry have not officially confirmed the visit.

Earlier this year too, reports of a secret Netanyahu visit to the UAE had surfaced, which the UAE had denied as baseless. This visit comes at a time when tensions persist across West Asia.

Addressing the UN General Assembly's 81st session recently, Netanyahu had claimed that Iran's current regime would fall. He had also said Israel's military action against Iran was necessary for its own security.