Israel's intelligence chief David Barnea secretly visited the United Arab Emirates at least twice during Israel's war with Iran to help coordinate military operations, according to a report citing Arab officials and a person familiar with the matter. The visits in March and April were described as evidence of deepening security ties between Israel and the Gulf state.

The two countries reportedly maintained close security coordination throughout the conflict. Israel sent Iron Dome air defense batteries and personnel to the United Arab Emirates to help defend against Iranian missile and drone attacks. The United States ambassador to Israel publicly praised the cooperation, calling it a benefit of normalization agreements between the countries.

The report also said the United Arab Emirates carried out strikes inside Iran, including an early April attack on a refinery on Lavan Island that caused significant damage. Iran responded with missile and drone launches toward the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Neither the Emirati government nor Israel's prime minister's office commented on the report.