The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Vice Commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), Admiral Brad Cooper, discussed with Israeli officials the preparation for a possible joint attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
According to the report, Cooper met with the Israeli Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General Amir Baram. The discussions centered on vital arms shipments to Israel, which had been frozen during the tenure of outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden, as well as the feasibility of a coordinated U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites.
An Israeli military spokesperson stated that Baram and Cooper visited several airbases, including Nevatim Airbase, where joint operational capabilities were reviewed. The two sides also showcased shared military operations and discussed collaborative readiness.
The Israeli army released a statement noting that the meeting also included discussions about addressing threats emanating from Yemen and enhancing U.S.-Israeli cooperation for comprehensive defense in Israel and across the Middle East.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has not ruled out the possibility of an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities or his support for such an operation by Israel.
Meanwhile, Iran has intensified its military drills in preparation for the arrival of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to the White House, as highlighted in a report by the Financial Times.
The report stated that the Islamic Republic is demonstrating strength through extensive winter military maneuvers. These exercises follow setbacks Iran faced in the region and the election of Trump as U.S. president.
Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, spokesperson for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), announced on Monday the commencement of approximately 30 military exercises involving land, sea, and air forces across Iran’s western and southern provinces. These drills are scheduled to continue until mid-March.
The joint exercises, conducted by the IRGC and the conventional Iranian army, aim to counter “new threats,” though further details were not disclosed.
