Officials from Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have recently held several secret meetings to discuss their strategic stance regarding Iran and potential joint initiatives in international forums. However, reports indicate that the two nations intend to coordinate with the United States before undertaking such initiatives. This information was revealed in a report by Israel’s Channel 12.
According to the report, while these meetings took place in a third country, the location was not disclosed for security reasons. The meetings occurred amidst rising tensions between the United States and Iran.
Channel 12 reported that Emirati officials expressed deep concern regarding the understandings reached between Washington and Tehran. They believe such arrangements could allow Iran to gain time and secure economic benefits without making any significant concessions.
The report further notes that discussions were held regarding the possibility of taking coordinated diplomatic action against Iran on the international stage. Both sides agreed, however, to coordinate with the administration of US President Donald Trump before launching any such initiatives.
Citing Western diplomats, Channel 12 reported that the UAE has adopted a tougher stance on Iran compared to some other Gulf nations. Abu Dhabi believes that Tehran’s current policies do not provide a sufficient foundation for improving relations between the two countries.
According to the diplomats, the UAE remains skeptical of Iran’s strategy of stalling negotiations. At the same time, they believe that the increased capacity to export oil and natural gas via alternative routes—bypassing the Strait of Hormuz—has further aligned the strategic interests of Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv.
It is worth noting that bilateral relations between Israel and the UAE have expanded significantly since the normalization of ties in 2020. Alongside diplomatic and economic cooperation, collaboration in the security and defense sectors has also steadily strengthened.
