Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret weekend visit to the United Arab Emirates, meeting the UAE president in Abu Dhabi. Reuters and UAE state media both confirmed the meeting.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations and Iran, according to the state news report. The visit was not announced in advance and was kept discreet.

The UAE has kept channels open with both Israel and Iran in recent years, even as regional tensions have risen.

The meeting comes as Washington pushes a separate seven-day plan to end the war with Iran. Gulf states have played a growing role as go-betweens in the crisis.

The visit shows that back-channel contacts between Israel and the Gulf are continuing. More such meetings are likely as diplomatic efforts develop. The UAE normalised ties with Israel under the Abraham Accords. The two countries have built close trade and security links in the years since.