Netanyahu shared Iran nuclear intelligence with UAE president in Abu Dhabi, source says

September 30, 2026 at 09:54 AM3 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared intelligence on Iran's nuclear program with UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a September 27 visit to Abu Dhabi, an Israeli source told CNN. The information included details on new construction at the Pikaks mountain site, about 225 km south of Tehran, which is seen as central to Iran's nuclear efforts. The visit came one month before Israel's October 27 election and amid political controversy over prior warnings about Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack.

Key Facts

Netanyahu met with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on September 27, according to an Israeli source familiar with the visit.
The intelligence shared included details on new construction at the Pikaks mountain site, about 225 km south of Tehran.
The Pikaks mountain, also known as Kulang, is located near one of Iran's main nuclear facilities and has been under US and Israeli surveillance for years.
The UAE's state news agency WAM confirmed the leaders met, marking the first official acknowledgment of Netanyahu's visit.
The visit occurred one month before Israel's October 27 election and amid reports that Sheikh Mohammed had warned Netanyahu about a major Hamas operation days before the October 7, 2023 attack.

The Abu Dhabi Meeting

Netanyahu shared intelligence on Iran's nuclear program with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during a September 27 visit to Abu Dhabi, an Israeli source told CNN. The information included details on new construction at the Pikaks mountain site, about 225 km south of Tehran, which is seen as central to Iran's efforts to revive its nuclear program. The UAE's state news agency WAM confirmed the leaders met, marking the first official acknowledgment of Netanyahu's visit. In March, reports said Netanyahu had secretly visited the UAE and met Sheikh Mohammed, but the Emirates denied the meeting while Israel confirmed it.

The Pikaks Mountain Site

The Pikaks mountain, also known as Kulang, is located near one of Iran's main nuclear facilities and has been under US and Israeli surveillance for years. The underground complex was built on the site of a centrifuge production plant severely damaged by a 2020 explosion. Experts estimate the tunnels extend 90–140 meters into the mountain, with enough space to house several nuclear facilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) cannot access the site, and Iran does not provide information about work or plans there.

Political Context

Netanyahu's visit came one month before Israel's October 27 election and amid political controversy over reports that Sheikh Mohammed had warned him about a major Hamas operation days before the October 7, 2023 attack. Haaretz and The New York Times reported the warning, while The Atlantic said Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel visited Israel on September 26, 2023, to warn about a possible situation in Gaza. The Wall Street Journal reported Egypt sent at least three warnings to Israel about Gaza, the last delivered by phone to Netanyahu days before the attack. Netanyahu has repeatedly denied receiving warnings about the Hamas attack, calling the claims fabrications aimed at harming him in the election.