IDF Chief of Staff Meets Gulf Military Leaders Amid Iran Tensions

Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir held a closed-door meeting with the heads of armed forces from Persian Gulf countries, initiated by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Admiral Brad Cooper. The meeting, reported by Channel 12, was the first of its kind since the start of the conflict involving Iran, offering a rare opportunity for Israeli military leadership to engage with counterparts from Arab nations without formal diplomatic ties. Zamir reportedly briefed attendees on the IDF's actions across various fronts.

Admiral Cooper assured regional leaders that the U.S. would not withdraw troops from the Middle East despite Iranian attacks on American bases and outlined plans to expand shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting also included military commanders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt.

A CENTCOM spokesperson confirmed a meeting with eight regional military representatives in Germany the previous week, where commanders discussed deepening security cooperation. This gathering occurred against a backdrop of escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, their advances in Yemen, and their effective control over the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

Sources indicate that Israel, with CENTCOM's mediation, has been discussing potential assistance to Saudi Arabia's campaign against the Houthis, including intelligence sharing, similar to support provided to the UAE. Previous reports suggest Israeli defense companies Elbit and IAI have supplied Saudi Arabia and Qatar with air defense systems and F-15 components, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars.