Axios: Witkoff held secret meeting with UAE leader's national security adviser

White House Envoy Steve Witkoff met last weekend with the national security adviser of the United Arab Emirates to discuss next steps on Iran, according to two sources with knowledge of the meeting, Report informs via Axios.

The talks, which weren't announced by the White House and haven't been reported until now, took place amid the Trump administration's push to reopen the Strait of Hormuz while choking Iran economically. Witkoff met with Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Zayed al Nahyan (TBZ) on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia.

TBZ is one of the UAE's most powerful figures: He is the brother of President Mohammed bin Zayed, the country's national security adviser and deputy ruler of Abu Dhabi, and oversees the UAE's vast investment and technology interests.

Witkoff and TBZ brainstormed next steps in the Iranian crisis and discussed other issues, the sources said.

The White House didn't respond to a request for comment.