Iran has strongly reacted to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to the United Arab Emirates, warning Abu Dhabi that hosting the Israeli prime minister would not have positive consequences.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in a post on the social media platform X that just as the presence of US military bases in the UAE had failed to provide it with security, hosting Netanyahu would also not prove beneficial for the Emirates.

Rezaei urged the UAE leadership to learn from the recent war, avoid escalating tensions and withdraw its claims over three disputed islands in the Gulf that are controlled by Iran. Iran considers the islands part of its sovereign territory, while the UAE continues to claim them.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry also condemned Netanyahu’s visit to the UAE. According to the ministry, countries in the region should remain alert to the potential consequences of Israel’s presence and should not allow their territory to be used against other countries in the region. Tehran described Israel’s policies toward Iran and other regional countries as a threat to peace and stability in the region.

Netanyahu visited Abu Dhabi last Sunday, where he met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. According to the UAE’s official news agency, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to further strengthen them.

The visit came at a time when diplomatic differences between Iran and the UAE over the three disputed Gulf islands remain unresolved, while tensions involving Iran, Israel and the United States continue across the region.

Meanwhile, Iran’s strong reaction indicates that Tehran views growing diplomatic ties between Israel and Gulf countries as an important issue from a regional security perspective. However, the allegations made by Iran and claims regarding possible consequences represent the position of Iranian officials.