Saudi Arabia, Jordan deny reports of officials meeting Netanyahu in UAE
Tehran - BORNA - The denials follow claims by media outlets aligned with Netanyahu, which critics argue were fabricated for domestic electoral purposes and aimed at breaking his international isolation following his recent appearances at the United Nations.
A senior Saudi official told Reuters that reports of a meeting between Saudi and Israeli officials were untrue, refuting claims circulating in Israeli media that Netanyahu had engaged with representatives from several Middle Eastern nations during his trip.
Similarly, Jordan’s Al-Mamlaka television network quoted an informed Jordanian source who rejected claims of Jordanian participation in any meeting with Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi. The source described the reports as "fabricated and baseless," asserting they were floated for electoral posturing after Netanyahu faced diplomatic cold-shouldering at UN sessions.
Israel’s Channel 14, an outlet close to the Israeli premier, claimed on Tuesday evening that Netanyahu’s meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Sunday was held in two stages: a direct bilateral discussion followed by an expanded gathering allegedly attended by envoys from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Egypt, Kuwait, Bahrain, Libya, and Oman.
Citing an unnamed Emirati source, the channel claimed the expanded session addressed bolstering security and intelligence cooperation, establishing a regional framework against common threats, developing operational plans concerning Iran and Yemen’s Ansarullah movement, providing intelligence support to Riyadh, and assessing alternative oil transport routes that bypass the Strait of Hormuz. No evidence was provided to corroborate these claims.
None of the states cited by the Israeli network have confirmed attending any such meeting, with Saudi and Jordanian statements directly contradicting the narrative. Jordan was not included in Channel 14’s initial list of eight participating countries.
According to the official Emirates News Agency (WAM), UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed hosted Netanyahu in Abu Dhabi on Sunday to review bilateral ties and explore paths for their development.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed the trip in an official statement, noting that talks focused on bilateral ties and regional challenges. The statement added that the Israeli delegation included National Security Council Chief Shmuel Ben-Ezra, Mossad Director Roman Gofman, Military Secretary Guy Markizano, and Political Adviser Ophir Falk.
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