Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly visited the United Arab Emirates on Sunday and met President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, both countries confirmed on Monday.

UAE state news agency WAM said the leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen them. Netanyahu’s office said the visit, made at the invitation of the Emirati president, focused on “strengthening relations between the two countries and on regional challenges.” An Israeli source told CNN the meeting was dominated by discussion of Iran, where the two countries have deepened cooperation during the current war.

The trip included Netanyahu’s wife, the National Security Council chief, the Mossad head, a military secretary and a political adviser. Three senior Israeli officials said the Sunday meeting lasted about six hours.

The visit came exactly one month before Israel’s October 27 election and amid controversy over Haaretz and New York Times reports alleging Sheikh Mohammed warned Netanyahu of a major Hamas operation days before October 7, 2023. Netanyahu’s office has denied receiving any warning and dismissed the reports as fabricated. The row has made accountability for the attack a central campaign issue.

An earlier claim in May that Netanyahu secretly visited the UAE was denied by Abu Dhabi.