Top military commanders from the US, Israel and seven Arab nations held a private meeting in Germany last week to discuss the ongoing war with Iran and the escalating
security situation across the Middle East, according to an Axios report citing two Israeli officials. The meeting, organised by US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper, was not publicly announced by any of the participating governments. It was reportedly the first gathering of its kind since the US and Israel went to war with Iran more than six months ago. The discussions assembled senior military figures representing Israel alongside Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt. This diplomatic and military alignment carried heightened significance given that several of the participating Arab states maintain no formal diplomatic relations with Israel. United States Central Command subsequently confirmed that it hosted senior military leaders representing eight nations during a scheduled conference in Germany aimed at enhancing regional security cooperation throughout the Middle East.
What was discussed?
During the proceedings, Adm. Brad Cooper reportedly offered assurances to the commanders, stating that the US military had no plans to pull its forces out of the region despite continuous Iranian attacks targeting American bases, according to Axios.
Furthermore, he briefed the assembled delegates regarding Washington's strategies to augment maritime traffic moving through the Strait of Hormuz. Concurrently, Israel Defence Forces Chief of Staff Gen Eyal Zamir delivered a comprehensive update concerning ongoing Israeli military operations spanning multiple fronts.
Military collaboration between Israel and various Arab states has broadened steadily following the 2020 Abraham Accords, with cooperation particularly pronounced within the spheres of air and missile defence.
Throughout the war, Israel has cooperated closely with the United Arab Emirates and the United States across both defensive and offensive manoeuvres. According to Israeli officials, Israel also deployed its Iron Dome system within the UAE alongside supplying critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support.
The high-level discussions unfolded against a backdrop of intensified Houthi assaults directed against Saudi Arabia alongside widening territorial control around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Information obtained via a source cited by Axios indicates that Israel and Saudi Arabia, operating with the active involvement of United States Central Command, are likewise engaged in dialogues concerning potential Israeli assistance for Saudi military operations targeting the Houthis, which encompasses provisions for intelligence and surveillance support.
(With agency inputs)
