US, Israel, Arab military chiefs met secretly on Iran war

• Military chiefs from the US, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt met secretly in Germany.
• The meeting, organized by US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper, focused on regional military cooperation and the war with Iran.
• It was the first such gathering since the US and Israel went to war with Iran over six months ago.
• Centcom confirmed the meeting, stating leaders discussed enhancing security cooperation.
• Admiral Cooper reportedly assured attendees that the US would maintain its regional presence despite Iranian attacks.
• Israel was moved to Centcom's area of responsibility to facilitate direct cooperation with regional countries.

Military leaders from the United States, Israel, and eight Arab nations held a secret meeting in Germany last week to discuss regional security cooperation and the ongoing war with Iran, according to Israeli officials who leaked details of the gathering. The "private retreat" was organized by Admiral Brad Cooper, the commander of US Central Command (Centcom).

Attended by the chiefs of staff from Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt, this was the first such high-level military meeting since the US and Israel initiated war with Iran more than six months prior. While the regional countries did not publicly confirm their participation, Centcom acknowledged the conference, stating that leaders "discussed opportunities for enhancing security cooperation in the Middle East."

During the meeting, Admiral Cooper reportedly conveyed that Washington would not withdraw its forces from the region, despite Iranian attacks that have damaged at least 15 US military sites. Satellite imagery indicates extensive damage to US bases and facilities, including the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, which disrupted regional logistics. Cooper also indicated that the US plans to expand ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.

An Israeli official told journalist Barak Ravid that General Eyal Zamir, Israel's chief of staff, provided an update on Israeli military operations. Following the meeting, Israel was moved from the US European Command's area of responsibility to Centcom, enabling more direct military cooperation with regional partners under US command. Andreas Krieg, an associate professor at King's College London, noted that some Arab Gulf capitals harbor suspicion towards Admiral Cooper due to his perceived closeness to Israel and hawkish stance on Iran.