CENTCOM, IDF, Arab militaries held military summit on Middle East, Iran, source confirms to 'Post'

US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Admiral Brad Cooper hosted senior military leaders from eight countries in a closed conference in Germany last week. The nations present included the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Jordan, and Egypt. The discussions centered on enhancing security cooperation in the Middle East, particularly in light of the conflict with Iran and the threat of Iranian attacks on US bases in the region.

Cooper assured the military leaders that the US would not withdraw its forces from the area despite Iranian aggression. He also briefed them on plans to secure the Strait of Hormuz and increase maritime traffic. Israeli officials revealed that IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir provided the Arab nations with updates on Israel's operations on various fronts during the summit.

The open communication of military intelligence between Israel and Arab states may signify strengthening ties among Israel and Gulf States, similar to the Abraham Accords. Kuwait is expected to join the Abraham Accords within four to six months, according to Israeli ambassador to the UAE, Yossi Shelley. The meeting occurred amid escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi cities and energy infrastructure, as well as their advance along Yemen's Red Sea coast towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

Trump did not order US strikes against the Houthi group but offered intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance to Riyadh. Israel also committed to assisting Saudi Arabia in its defense against the Houthis by providing military intelligence following a recent meeting mediated by CENTCOM.