The commander of US Central Command, Gen. Michael Kurilla, discussed with senior Israeli military officials pressing regional challenges, as talks focused on Iran.
The Israeli army said in a statement that Kurilla's visit is a direct continuation of the field activity and the recent maneuvers between the two armies.
During the past month, the two armies held joint field activity behind the Bab al-Mandab Strait area. However, security sources in Tel Aviv said the US-Israeli naval commandos executed military operations near the region between the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
The sources did not disclose the nature of these operations but confirmed that US and Israeli marine officials met at the headquarters of the Israeli Navy's "Shayatet 13" commando units in an Israeli military port for a briefing afterward.
They reported that Kurilla and his Israeli host, Chief of Staff of the Army, General Herzi Halevi, attended some of these meetings, indicating that the operations were strategically important.
The commando units of both sides developed a plan to continue joint operations and conduct periodic exercises to exchange experiences.
"We are following the changes in the region, with an emphasis on the increase in Iranian aggression and terrorism. Precisely in this sensitive period, the close relationship between the armies is of great importance," Halevi said.
"We will continue the cooperation and the common commitment to security in the Middle East."
Earlier, an Israeli army commander announced that his forces were preparing for maritime security developments in light of the Iranian presence in the Red Sea.
General Kurilla arrived in Israel on his fifth visit since he took office in April 2022. His last visit was in November.
He held meetings with Israeli security and military leaders, and Halevi accompanied him on a tour of two military bases.
Kurilla asserted that Washington seeks to boost cooperation with its allies to confront attacks launched by Iran and its affiliates, noting that the missiles and drones have become the primary threat to the US, Israel, and Arab countries.
On Thursday, Israel's Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hosted the CENTCOM Commander at the ministry's headquarters in Tel Aviv.
The two parties discussed developing regional challenges, focusing on Iran's malign activities in the Middle East, said an official statement.
"This includes Iranian aggression in the maritime arena and the delivery of weapons to terror organizations and proxies in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and the wider region," it read.
Gallant shared his concerns regarding Iran's progress in its nuclear program and aims to achieve nuclear military capabilities.
The two officials also reiterated their commitment "to deepen the unique cooperation and intelligence-sharing between their respective militaries and defense establishments."
"As with every visit to the Israeli army, I was thoroughly impressed by the readiness for combat I saw here. Our military relationship with Israel is solid," Kurilla added.
- US weapons in Israel
According to the Israel Hayom newspaper, close to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli officials have expressed concern about reducing weapons and ammunition.
Israel's emergency ammunition supply is running low due to the war in Ukraine and could become an area of concern in a multi-front crisis.
The newspaper said that officials are discussing the US weapons stockpiles for possible use in a Middle East conflict and enjoy diplomatic immunity.
There has been a decades-long silent understanding that the Israeli army can dip into the supply in case of real need.
It is a historic concern for the army, dating back to the 1973 Yom Kippur War when the country was invaded by both Egypt and Syria and had to beg Washington to send military supplies quickly because it was running out.
According to several sources, part of the stockpile was removed in recent months through the port of Ashdod. The ammunition extraction began at Naftali Bennett's government's beginning and continued until recent weeks.
Israeli and foreign sources told Israel Hayom that shortages in the West, against the backdrop of the continuing war in Ukraine, led Washington to remove part of its stockpile.
A security source indicated that this was a decision by the White House to transfer capabilities from Israel to another front.
A former Israeli minister, familiar with the details, told the newspaper that "it is still not clear when the reserves will be restocked."
It depends on the US ammunition production pace, so this process will take time.
Reports are also discussing a change in US international priorities.
The Biden administration is shifting its capabilities and attention from the Middle East to China and Ukraine.
