A report by a prominent news agency, citing reliable sources familiar with the matter, has alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking to drag US President Donald Trump into a new conflict with Iran as part of an effort to bolster his political position.

According to the report, the sources described as an “absurd scenario” an alleged false-flag operation involving the hijacking of an Emirati aircraft bound for the occupied territories from the UAE, followed by its landing in Saudi Arabia. The incident reportedly took place on Wednesday, three days after Netanyahu travelled to the UAE accompanied by several senior military and intelligence officials.

The sources alleged that the plan was discussed and finalised during Netanyahu’s visit.

According to the report, the UAE was tasked with playing a role in Israeli regional projects, while multilateral talks were also held with officials from several other Arab countries over an alleged false-flag operation that could be attributed to Iran.

The sources claimed that the objective was to pressure Trump into becoming involved in another conflict and trigger a new round of military confrontation with Iran.

They also alleged that Netanyahu is deeply concerned that, if Knesset elections were held under the current circumstances, his coalition would be unable to secure a majority and form a government.

The report quoted a source as saying that Netanyahu fears that losing the premiership would leave him facing the possibility of spending the remainder of his political life behind bars.

The sources further alleged that Netanyahu hopes to use his influence over the White House and Trump to draw the US into a full-scale conflict with Iran, while continuing to rely on American military support, economic resources and diplomatic influence to improve his political position.

Meanwhile, the report said Iranian authorities are closely monitoring US and Israeli military movements.

The sources claimed that Iran is preparing for the possibility of another hostile action being carried out under the pretext of the alleged aircraft hijacking operation.

They warned that Iran would respond with what they described as “harsh and devastating blows” against Israel and the US in the event of any hostile action.

Alleged plot follows Netanyahu’s UAE visit

The alleged plot comes days after Netanyahu travelled to the UAE and held closed-door talks with Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Iranian officials issued warnings about Netanyahu’s visit on Wednesday, the same day as the reported aircraft incident.

Iran’s Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said in an Arabic-language message that hosting US military bases had not brought security to the UAE and that hosting what he called the “Butcher of Gaza” would not have favourable consequences either.

Rezaei urged Abu Dhabi to “learn from the last war, stop igniting wars” and refrain from making claims over the Iranian islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb and Lesser Tunb.

In a statement issued ahead of the reported aircraft incident, Iran’s Foreign Ministry also condemned what it described as the “provocative presence” of the “child-killing and warmongering prime minister of the Zionist regime” in the region.

The ministry warned of the “extremely dangerous consequences” of Israel’s presence at a time when West Asia is experiencing one of its most fragile periods, citing Israel’s military action against Iran and its continued operations in Palestine and Lebanon.

“All countries in the region must remain vigilant regarding the consequences and repercussions of such a presence, which threatens regional peace and collective security,” the ministry said.

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned Persian Gulf states that cooperation with Israel, including allowing their territory to be used for hostile activities against Iran, would carry serious consequences.