The meeting was organized by US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper and was not publicly announced by the participating governments. CENTCOM later confirmed that it had hosted senior military leaders from eight nations at a scheduled conference in Germany to discuss opportunities for strengthening security cooperation in the Middle East.
The meeting was attended by military chiefs from Israel, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt, along with Cooper.
According to Axios, Cooper reassured the participants that the US military would maintain its presence in the region despite Iranian attacks on US bases. He also briefed the military leaders on US plans to expand shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli officials said Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir briefed the participants on Israeli military operations on various fronts.
The gathering comes amid increased military and security cooperation between Israel and several Arab states. Such cooperation expanded following the 2020 Abraham Accords between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain, which also contributed to Israel being moved from the US European Command area of responsibility to CENTCOM.
According to Axios, Israel has worked with the UAE and the US on defensive and other military operations during the Iran war. Israeli officials also said Israel deployed its Iron Dome missile defence system in the UAE and provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support.
The meeting also took place as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia intensified and tensions around the Bab al-Mandab Strait increased.
A source familiar with the matter told Axios that Israel and Saudi Arabia, with assistance from CENTCOM, are discussing ways Israel could support Saudi military operations against the Houthis, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assistance modeled on its support for the UAE.
The reported meeting highlights the expanding military coordination between the US, Israel and several Arab countries as the regional conflict involving Iran and the Houthis continues.
