Saudi Arabia has denied reports that its representatives attended a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Israeli journalist Dror Balazada had posted on X that Saudi officials joined an expanded meeting covering security cooperation, Iran, the Houthis and regional defence. But a Saudi official told AFP: “No official meetings. No talks. Nothing whatsoever. Our stance on Israel remains unchanged.”

Jordan also denied participation in the expanded talks, according to Arab News. Three senior Israeli officials told Reuters that Netanyahu’s one-on-one meeting with the Emirati leader lasted six hours and focused mainly on Iran.

The denial leaves open the question of whether the Abu Dhabi meeting could lead to any broader regional arrangement. It also underscores the sensitivity around any public signal of Saudi-Israeli engagement amid ongoing regional tensions.

The meeting is the latest in a series of high-level contacts between Israel and Gulf states as the region navigates the Iran threat and the aftermath of recent conflicts.