ABU DHABI, Dec 13 Reuters -- Israel's prime minister Naftali Bennett held talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan on Monday in the first public meeting between an Israeli leader and the United Arab Emirates' de facto ruler.
Israel's ambassador to Abu Dhabi said the issue of Iran was on the agenda for their talks, which followed the formalisation of Israel-UAE relations last year under a U.S.-led regional initiative.
The UAE is trying to improve relations with Tehran despite shared concern about Iranian activity.
The Israeli leader's office described the meeting as historic Israeli Ambassador Amir Hayek declined to elaborate on any discussion of Iran but he told Israel's army radio: "The prime minister did not come here to address the Iranian issue, and was greeted with photographs of Bennett and Sheikh Mohammed smiling and shaking hands." With world powers trying to renew the Iran nuclear deal, Abu Dhabi sent an envoy to Tehran last week. A U.S. delegation is coming to Dubai this week to warn Emirati banks against sanctions on Iran.
Iran is an Israeli arch-foe, but it has not been mentioned publicly by Bennett since he set off on Sunday for the first visit by an Israeli premier to the UAE with pledges to promote bilateral commerce and other forms of civilian cooperation.
The Israel Hayom newspaper, quoting unnamed officials, said Bennett was expected to brief Sheikh Mohammed on intelligence regarding Iranian-supplied militias and drones in the region.
Israel discussed setting up joint defences against Iran and the Gulf Arab states last month. Military sales to UAE are in the works, according to Hayek, although Israeli industry sources say advanced Israeli air defence systems have yet to be offered.
Israel is in cooperation with a new friend, with a partner for the long term, and there will be considerations of defence and also considerations of how you work with a country that is very friendly to Israel, Hayek said.
Israel-UAE bilateral trade in goods has reached $500 million so far in 2021 - up from $125 million in 2020 - and is expected to continue growing rapidly.