Reports published Wednesday revealed that during the ongoing war with Iran, the heads of Israel’s two main intelligence agencies secretly visited the United Arab Emirates in recent months. According to the Wall Street Journal, Mossad chief David Barnea traveled to the UAE at least twice in March and April, meeting senior Abu Dhabi officials to discuss wartime coordination. Israeli sources confirmed Barnea’s visits, though they were not officially announced. Around the same period, Shin Bet chief David Zinio also visited the UAE to strengthen cooperation between Israeli and Emirati security agencies.

The reports said the coordination covered intelligence sharing, missile and drone interception, and target selection against Iran. Earlier, the Wall Street Journal reported that the UAE had secretly carried out strikes inside Iran, including on an oil refinery on Lavan Island, though Abu Dhabi did not claim responsibility. Iran later retaliated with missile and drone attacks on the UAE and Kuwait.

According to the UAE Defense Ministry, Iran launched about 550 ballistic and cruise missiles and over 2,200 drones at the UAE, making it the most targeted Gulf state during the conflict.