CENTCOM chief hails US-Israeli joint military achievements against Iran, pledges continued support for Israel

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Brad Cooper addressed an Israeli military operational forum in person on Monday, a rare move for a CENTCOM commander and used the appearance to praise the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iran, the Jerusalem Post reported.

The visit underscores how closely the two militaries have coordinated since the February war with Iran, and signals that Washington views the relationship as entering a new, deeper phase rather than winding down now that the fighting has stopped.

“We achieved the unimaginable together. Our joint achievement is historic,” Cooper told the forum, which included IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir and other senior Israeli commanders.

“You are a nation of warriors, and the people sitting here are the leaders of those warriors,” he said. “I am proud to serve shoulder to shoulder with you.”

A source speaking on condition of anonymity said it was unusual for a CENTCOM commander to address an Israeli operational forum directly, and added that the phrase “shoulder to shoulder” describes the reality of the U.S.-Israeli partnership in a way it does not for other American allies, where the phrase remains largely theoretical.

Looking ahead, Cooper pledged continued U.S. backing for Israel. “We have a high and enduring commitment to you,” he said, describing the partnership as built on commitment, mutual trust and close cooperation, and arguing that it strengthens stability across the Middle East.

The Israeli Air Force killed Iranian “supreme leader” Ali Khamenei and 40 top Iranian officials in the opening joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Feb. 28. Over 40 days of fighting, the two militaries degraded much of Tehran’s nuclear and conventional military capabilities, with close coordination cited as central to the campaign’s success.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth called Israel a great ally during the war, and praised the U.S. and Israeli air forces as the world’s two most capable.

Washington’s commitment to Israel is rooted, to a significant degree, in U.S. security self-interest; in January, the Pentagon’s 2026 National Defense Strategy document called Israel a “model ally.” During the war, Israel helped the U.S. recover American pilots after Iran downed a U.S. fighter jet.

Zamir presented Cooper with a gift and personally thanked him for what he called an “unprecedented” level of cooperation, describing the U.S. military as a “strategic anchor.”

“We are in a significant period and at a strategic crossroads,” Zamir told the forum, adding that ongoing Israeli operations are aimed at improving the country’s geopolitical position. “The IDF is a fighting military, and we are engaged in a large, prolonged, multi-front campaign. Our mission is to influence reality and not be dragged behind it, through tactical and systemic initiative.”

He linked ongoing diplomatic talks in Lebanon and Gaza directly to Israel’s military gains: “All of these are the result of the IDF’s historic achievements. We must ensure that we fully realize the achievements of the campaign and maximize them.”

Zamir said the IDF remains ready to return to high-intensity combat should the Iranian-led axis choose to escalate. “We are well prepared on defense, alongside immediate readiness and alertness for a return to high-intensity fighting.”

He also pointed to the military’s record since the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attack: “Since October 7, the IDF has proven itself as a victorious military, with a spirit of strength, an offensive and initiating military.”

“The achievements we have made on all fronts are first and foremost your achievements. Together, you led the IDF to significant achievements and changed the security reality. The challenge now is to continue shaping reality, build the force and ensure that the IDF is prepared for every scenario," Zamir said as he closed the forum.