Israeli Prime Minister Visits UAE in Secret

Israel's government announced that the prime minister made a secret visit to the United Arab Emirates during the Iran war and met with the country's president. Officials said the trip produced a historic breakthrough in relations between the two countries.

The visit was conducted covertly, according to statements from the prime minister's office. The announcement comes as fighting between Israel, the United States and Iran that began with joint strikes on February 28 has drawn in wider parts of the Middle East.

Ties between Israel and the UAE have grown since the conflict started. The meeting with the UAE president was confirmed by multiple news outlets including CBS News.

Saudi fighter jets bombed targets linked to powerful Tehran-backed Shi'ite militias in Iraq during the Iran war, multiple sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Retaliatory strikes were also launched from Kuwait into Iraq as part of a broader pattern of military responses around the Gulf that remained largely hidden.

These actions occurred within the larger regional conflict. The strikes underline shifting alliances and direct involvement by Gulf states in response to Iranian-linked activity. Sources described the operations as retaliatory in nature. Reuters first reported the Saudi and Kuwaiti strikes on May 13.

European Reactions to U.S.

Friedrich Merz's criticism of the U.S. president last month reflected a broader shift, according to analysts at Eurasia Group. The Trump administration's policies on Iran contributed to this change in tone. Spain has led European opposition to the Iran war from the start under its Socialist prime minister.

The Guardian reported that European officials increasingly view U.S. leverage in the region as having slipped. This marks a departure from earlier alignment with Washington.

The statement was issued as the country continues to manage both external conflicts and internal political challenges. No further details on the timing of potential talks were released. President Donald Trump is scheduled to undergo a medical and dental checkup at the end of May, the White House said.

This comes amid ongoing international developments involving U.S. policy in the Middle East. Sources familiar with the military actions spoke on condition of anonymity. Further details are expected to emerge as the situation develops.