IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir participated in a secret meeting in Germany last week with the military chiefs of seven Arab countries and the United States, with discussions focused on the war with Iran and the escalating confrontation with the Houthis. It marked the first gathering of its kind since the Iran war began more than six months ago, Channel 12 reports.

The summit was organized by CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper and included the military chiefs of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt. CENTCOM spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins confirmed the gathering, saying senior military officials from eight countries met at a planned conference to discuss opportunities for deepening security cooperation across the Middle East.

During the meeting, Cooper assured participants that the United States does not intend to withdraw its forces from the region despite Iranian attacks on American bases. He also briefed the military leaders on U.S. plans to expand the movement of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Zamir, meanwhile, presented an overview of IDF operations across Israel’s various fronts to the participants, some of whom represent countries that do not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

A source familiar with the discussions said U.S.-mediated contacts are now underway regarding possible Israeli assistance for Saudi military operations against the Houthis, who recently seized control of the Bab el-Mandab Strait. The potential assistance would focus on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

The report said such cooperation would resemble Israel’s existing security coordination with the UAE. During the Iran war, Israel deployed an Iron Dome system in the Emirates along with IDF personnel and provided real-time intelligence that was also used in strikes against Iran.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)