Former Shin Bet Chief Reportedly Evacuated From UAE Over Iranian Threat

Former Shin Bet director Ronen Bar and his wife were rushed out of the United Arab Emirates after a security warning, according to a report by Israel's Channel 13 News. The outlet cited unnamed sources who said the couple were alerted to a possible Iranian attempt to harm Bar.

What the Report Says

Bar travelled to the UAE with his wife, Dafna Bar-Agassi, to attend a security conference. The event reportedly drew senior intelligence, security, and government officials from several countries.

During the trip, an unusual security alert reached Bar's team, the report says. Officials decided to evacuate the couple immediately and fly them back to Israel. Details of the alert and the evacuation stayed secret until the report emerged.

Who Hosted the Conference

Channel 13 said the gathering was hosted by UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. A source close to the Gulf country disputed that account, telling The Times of Israel that the minister had not hosted such an event recently or in past years.

The same source called reports of Bar's evacuation "completely baseless." The source also said the UAE avoids involvement in Israel's internal political disputes.

Bar himself declined to comment on the report when asked. No Israeli or Emirati official has confirmed the nature of the alleged threat.

Bar's Role Since Leaving Shin Bet

Bar stepped down as Shin Bet chief and has since taken part in several public initiatives. Israeli broadcaster KAN News reported in February that he was working to set up a school for political leadership. That effort drew criticism from some political figures in Israel.

Wider Regional Context

The report surfaced as Iran-linked tensions continued across the region. Qatar and Pakistan were mediating talks between the United States and Iran in Switzerland around the same period. Those talks focused partly on de-escalating military activity tied to the broader conflict.

The claims about Bar's evacuation remain unconfirmed by official sources on either side. Multiple Israeli outlets have since picked up the Channel 13 report, though key details, including the precise nature of the threat, have not been independently verified.