The United Arab Emirates said on Thursday (May 14) it “denies reports” that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently visited the country, after Mr. Netanyahu’s office said he had held a secret meeting with the UAE President.

“The United Arab Emirates denies reports circulating regarding an alleged visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the UAE, or receiving any Israeli military delegation in the country,” the UAE Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

-AFP

Iran has provided “free of charge services” to international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz for decades but is now working on a “protocol” to include a financial component covering costs it incurs to make navigation safe in the Persian Gulf region, said the country’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in New Delhi on Wednesday (May 13, 2026).

Speaking to a select group of journalists at the Embassy of Iran, Mr. Gharibabadi, who is here for the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting, avoided naming the UAE directly and said “a neighbouring country that is also a member of the BRICS” is thwarting a joint statement at the meeting by trying to introduce language that seeks to condemn Iran’s military strategy against U.S. and Israeli attacks.

Read the story here

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) that he secretly visited the United Arab Emirates during the Iran war.

Mr. Netanyahu met with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the visit, the Israeli leader’s office said. It added that the visit “resulted in a historic breakthrough in relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.”

Read the story here