The United Arab Emirates has flatly rejected reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a covert trip to the Gulf state, dismissing suggestions of any unannounced visit as “baseless”. The denial came after the Israeli prime minister’s office said Mr Netanyahu had travelled to the UAE and held talks with the Emirati president during the war with Iran. Abu Dhabi said those claims were false, adding that no Israeli military delegation had been received in the country. "Any claims regarding unannounced visits or…

JERUSALEM, May 13 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret trip to the United Arab Emirates and met Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed during the war with Iran, Netanyahu's office said on Wednesday, confirming for the first time that the two leaders had met. The Prime Minister's Office said the encounter produced a "historic breakthrough" in ties between Israel and the UAE. A source familiar with the matter said Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, widely known as MBZ, met in Al-Ain,…

As the aftermath of Lebanon’s deadliest day of the war continued to unfold, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today he wants direct negotiations with Beirut, raising the stakes just one day after bombardments killed more than 300 people and cast fresh doubt over Donald Trump’s US-Iran ceasefire. Mr Trump declared a ceasefire in the six-week Iran conflict late on Tuesday, only hours before a deadline after which he had warned he would wipe out Iran’s entire civilisation. In Pakistan, officials were making…

Netanyahu sets red lines for U.S.-Iran nuclear deal as talks shift to Switzerland; exiled shah’s son rallies supporters in Munich Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said any U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement must require the removal of all enriched uranium from Iran and address Tehran’s ability to enrich more, setting out hard-line conditions as a new round of talks moves to Switzerland this week. Speaking in Jerusalem to leaders of major American Jewish organizations, Netanyahu said a viable deal must also tackle Iran’s…

Netanyahu to press Trump on tougher Iran deal as White House weighs second carrier deployment Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to push U.S. President Donald Trump to harden Washington’s stance in nuclear talks with Iran during a hastily arranged White House meeting today, as the president signals he may send a second aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East. The talks, set to begin at 11 a.m. local time (4 p.m. Irish time), come days after Iran resumed negotiations with the United States in Oman…

Israel rules out Palestinian Authority role in post-war Gaza; Denmark jails two over embassy attack; IDF to replace Arabic-language spokesman Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told visiting U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff in Jerusalem that the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority will not play any role in governing post-war Gaza, sharpening Israel’s position as international diplomatic tracks remain fluid. “The Prime Minister clarified that the Palestinian Authority will not be involved in administering the Strip in any…

Iran accuses U.S., Israel and Europe of exploiting unrest as casualty claims mount Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States, Israel and European leaders of exploiting the country’s economic crisis to incite nationwide protests, as Iranian authorities and rights groups issued sharply conflicting death tolls from the two-week upheaval. In a live state television address, Pezeshkian said foreign actors “provoked, created division, and supplied resources,” drawing “some innocent people into this movement”…

Israeli police detained a senior aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on suspicion of obstructing an investigation, in a case local media said is tied to the leak of military information during the Gaza war. Police did not name the official, but Israeli outlets reported it was Tzachi Braverman, Netanyahu’s chief of staff and Israel’s ambassador-designate to the United Kingdom. Officers searched his home, according to Israeli media, and the aide was “being questioned under caution,” police said. “This morning, a senior…

Trump warns Iran of fresh strikes, says Hamas faces ‘hell to pay’ if it fails to disarm after meeting Netanyahu U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran of potential new military strikes and said Hamas would have “hell to pay” if it fails to disarm in Gaza, escalating rhetoric after a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida. Speaking alongside Netanyahu at a news conference, Trump threatened to “eradicate” any effort by Tehran to rebuild its nuclear program or ballistic missile arsenal following what…

MAR-A-LAGO, Florida — President Donald Trump warned Iran against rebuilding its nuclear and missile programs as he welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks at his Florida estate, signaling support for further Israeli action if Tehran presses ahead. “Now I hear that Iran is trying to build up again,” Trump told reporters shortly after Netanyahu arrived at Mar-a-Lago. “We’ll knock them down. We’ll knock the hell out of them. But hopefully that’s not happening.” The meeting came amid a fragile Israel-Hamas…