Officials of Israel and the United Arab Emirates have held several secret meetings recently on their strategic positions regarding Iran and on joint initiatives in various international forums. The two countries are understood to be working in coordination with the United States before taking any such steps. The information was given in a report by the Israeli television broadcaster Channel 12.
According to the report, the meetings were held in a third country whose name was not disclosed for security reasons. They took place at a time of rising tension between the United States and Iran.
Channel 12 said Emirati officials expressed deep concern at the meetings about a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran. In their view, such an understanding could give Iran the chance to buy time and gain economic benefits without making any significant concession.
The report also said the possibility of coordinated diplomatic steps on Iran in the international arena was discussed. Both sides agreed, however, to coordinate with the administration of the US president, Donald Trump, before taking any such initiative.
Citing several Western diplomats, Channel 12 said the UAE has now taken a tougher position on Iran than some other countries in the Gulf region. Abu Dhabi’s view is that Tehran’s current policies are not creating a sufficient basis for improving relations between the two countries.
According to the diplomats, the UAE does not trust the Iranian tactic of delaying talks. They also believe that the increased capacity to export oil and natural gas by alternative routes avoiding the Strait of Hormuz has created greater alignment between the strategic interests of Abu Dhabi and Tel Aviv.
Bilateral relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates have expanded significantly since they normalised relations in 2020. Alongside diplomatic and economic cooperation, cooperation between the two countries in security and defence has also steadily deepened.
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