Top military commanders from the United States, Israel and seven Arab countries held a secret meeting in Germany last week to discuss the Iran war and wider security tensions in the Middle East. The meeting organised by US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Brad Cooper was not publicly announced by the countries, said an Axios report, citing two Israeli officials. It was the first such assembly since the US and Israel went to war with Iran.&nbsp;The meeting attended by senior military leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt was significant as some of the Arab nations involved do not have diplomatic ties with Israel but sat on the same table.&nbsp;CENTCOM confirmed later that it had hosted senior military leaders from eight nations in Germany to discuss ways to strengthen security cooperation in the Middle East.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-arabia-carried-out-over-350-airstrikes-on-yemen-violated-sovereignty-say-houthis-1789491294418">‘US military task force aiding Saudi Arabia forces with intel, planning support’: Official</a><h2>‘No plans to pull out US forces from the region’</h2>&nbsp;During the meeting, Cooper reportedly assured the military commanders that the US military had no plans to pull its forces out of the region despite Iranian attacks on American bases. He also briefed them on Washington’s plans to increase ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.&nbsp;Israel Defence Forces Chief of Staff Gen Eyal Zamir, meanwhile, provided an update on Israeli military operations across several fronts.&nbsp;It was a rare opportunity for military commanders from Israel and Arab Gulf countries that don't have diplomatic relations with Israel to meet and exchange views on the war.An Israeli official said Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eyal Zamir briefed the other participants on IDF operations on various fronts.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/j-k-cm-omar-abdullah-praises-centre-over-pahalgam-attack-condemnation-at-brics-in-presence-of-pakistan-s-allies-1789478311956">J&amp;K CM Omar Abdullah praises Centre over Pahalgam attack condemnation at BRICS in presence of Pakistan’s allies</a><h2>Arab nations increase military cooperation with Israel</h2>&nbsp;Several Arab countries have expanded military cooperation with Israel since the 2020 Abraham Accords. Israel has already worked with the UAE and US on defensive and offensive operations during the war.&nbsp;Israel also deployed its Iron Dome system in the UAE and provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support, according to officials.The meeting came as Houthi forces intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia and expanded their control around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.Israel and Saudi Arabia are also discussing possible Israeli support for Saudi operations against the Houthis, including intelligence and surveillance assistance.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/imran-khan-s-sons-accuse-asim-munir-of-holding-personal-grudge-against-imprisoned-father-1789484359759">Imran Khan’s sons accuse Asim Munir of holding ‘personal grudge’ against imprisoned father</a>&nbsp;CENTCOM confirmed the meeting, saying in a statement that it “hosted senior military leaders from eight nations during a scheduled conference in Germany. The leaders discussed opportunities for enhancing security cooperation in the Middle East.”&nbsp;<h2>Cooperation increases between Israel and Arab countries</h2>&nbsp;Cooperation between Israel and other countries in the region has intensified since the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain in Sept. 2020.&nbsp;Israel deployed the Iron Dome missile defence system in the UAE, along with personnel to operate it, and gave the UAE real-time assistance with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), Israeli officials say.Intelligence sharing between Israel and other Arab countries in the region has increased during the war.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ai-has-the-potential-to-kill-us-all-ex-deepmind-researcher-sounds-alarm-on-superintelligence-threat-1789475011718">‘AI has the potential to kill us all’: Ex-DeepMind researcher sounds alarm on superintelligence threat</a>&nbsp;The meeting took place as the Houthis escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia, making advances on the ground and taking effective control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea.&nbsp;A source with knowledge of the matter said Israel and Saudi Arabia — with the assistance of CENTCOM — are discussing how Israel could support Saudi military operations against the Houthis and provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assistance modelled on its support for the UAE.

The meeting attended by senior military leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt was significant as some of the Arab nations involved do not have diplomatic ties with Israel but sat on the same table.

Top military commanders from the United States, Israel and seven Arab countries held a secret meeting in Germany last week to discuss the Iran war and wider security tensions in the Middle East. The meeting organised by US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Brad Cooper was not publicly announced by the countries, said an Axios report, citing two Israeli officials. It was the first such assembly since the US and Israel went to war with Iran. The meeting attended by senior military leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt was significant as some of the Arab nations involved do not have diplomatic ties with Israel but sat on the same table. CENTCOM confirmed later that it had hosted senior military leaders from eight nations in Germany to discuss ways to strengthen security cooperation in the Middle East. Also Read: ‘US military task force aiding Saudi Arabia forces with intel, planning support’: Official ‘No plans to pull out US forces from the region’ During the meeting, Cooper reportedly assured the military commanders that the US military had no plans to pull its forces out of the region despite Iranian attacks on American bases. He also briefed them on Washington’s plans to increase ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Israel Defence Forces Chief of Staff Gen Eyal Zamir, meanwhile, provided an update on Israeli military operations across several fronts. It was a rare opportunity for military commanders from Israel and Arab Gulf countries that don't have diplomatic relations with Israel to meet and exchange views on the war. An Israeli official said Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Eyal Zamir briefed the other participants on IDF operations on various fronts. Also Read: J&K CM Omar Abdullah praises Centre over Pahalgam attack condemnation at BRICS in presence of Pakistan’s allies Arab nations increase military cooperation with Israel Several Arab countries have expanded military cooperation with Israel since the 2020 Abraham Accords. Israel has already worked with the UAE and US on defensive and offensive operations during the war. Israel also deployed its Iron Dome system in the UAE and provided intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support, according to officials. The meeting came as Houthi forces intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia and expanded their control around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Israel and Saudi Arabia are also discussing possible Israeli support for Saudi operations against the Houthis, including intelligence and surveillance assistance. Also Read: Imran Khan’s sons accuse Asim Munir of holding ‘personal grudge’ against imprisoned father CENTCOM confirmed the meeting, saying in a statement that it “hosted senior military leaders from eight nations during a scheduled conference in Germany. The leaders discussed opportunities for enhancing security cooperation in the Middle East.” Cooperation increases between Israel and Arab countries Cooperation between Israel and other countries in the region has intensified since the signing of the Abraham Accords between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain in Sept. 2020. Israel deployed the Iron Dome missile defence system in the UAE, along with personnel to operate it, and gave the UAE real-time assistance with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), Israeli officials say. Intelligence sharing between Israel and other Arab countries in the region has increased during the war. Also Read: ‘AI has the potential to kill us all’: Ex-DeepMind researcher sounds alarm on superintelligence threat The meeting took place as the Houthis escalated attacks on Saudi Arabia, making advances on the ground and taking effective control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea. A source with knowledge of the matter said Israel and Saudi Arabia — with the assistance of CENTCOM — are discussing how Israel could support Saudi military operations against the Houthis and provide Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) assistance modelled on its support for the UAE.

The meeting attended by senior military leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan and Egypt was significant as some of the Arab nations involved do not have diplomatic ties with Israel but sat on the same table.

Top military commanders from US, Israel, and 7 Arab nations held secret meeting on Iran War

&nbsp;Kharg Island, a small outcrop on the opposite side of the Persian Gulf from US bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is the centre of Iran’s oil industry, handling around 90 per cent of its exports. Its strategic importance has placed it at the centre of US considerations, as President Donald Trump weighs whether American forces could seize the island to pressure Tehran. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t,” Trump said, signalling that military options remain under review.&nbsp;Analysts, however, warn that targeting such a critical hub risks wider economic disruption and could further unsettle global energy markets. In a post on Truth Social, Trump also threatened to strike Iran’s broader infrastructure, including desalination plants, warning that if a deal to end the war is not reached and the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, the United States would “blow up and completely obliterate” Iran’s power plants, “oil wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalination plants), which we have purposefully not yet ‘touched’.”<h2>A risky operation for US forces</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>Military experts, quoted by the Associated Press caution that any ground operation would expose US troops to significant danger. Kharg Island lies close to Iran’s mainland, placing forces within range of missiles, drones and artillery. &nbsp;Seizing Kharg Island could escalate the conflict, said Danny Citrinowicz, according to AP, an Iran expert at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies. Iran and its proxies, including Yemen’s Houthi rebels, could intensify retaliation by laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz and launching drone strikes on targets across the Arabian Peninsula, from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea. “It will be hard to take. It will be hard to hold,” Citrinowicz said of Kharg Island. “And it might damage the economy, but not in a way that will force the Iranians to capitulate.”&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-water-war-trump-threatens-to-blow-up-iran-s-desalination-plants-how-could-retaliation-leave-gulf-cities-thirsty-1774938407674/1774938407675">Water war': Trump threatens to blow up Iran’s desalination plants. How could retaliation leave Gulf cities thirsty?</a>&nbsp;Even inserting troops “would be risky and carry the potential for casualties,” wrote AP, quoting Caitlin Talmadge of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also noted the difficulty of sustaining a presence so near Iranian defences.<h2>Limited impact on ending the war</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>Kharg Island is about 33 kilometers (21 miles) off Iran’s coast. The US has already struck multiple targets on the island which includes air defenses, a radar site, the airport and a hovercraft base. Despite its strategic value, experts question whether capturing Kharg Island would alter the course of the conflict. The move could damage Iran’s economy, but may not compel Tehran to concede or end hostilities. One analyst described the idea as “a military mission in search of a strategic rationale,” highlighting uncertainty over what tangible outcome such risks would deliver. Others suggest alternatives, such as naval blockades, could exert pressure with fewer risks to personnel.&nbsp;ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/plastic-crisis-how-the-iran-war-is-choking-petrochemical-supply-chains-and-driving-price-shock-across-asia-1774528638873">Plastic crisis? How the Iran war is choking petrochemical supply chains and driving price shock across Asia</a>&nbsp;Seizing the island could provoke retaliation across the region, including attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and shipping routes. Iran and its allies have already demonstrated their ability to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, raising the prospect of a broader conflict. At the same time, a US Navy ship carrying about 2,500 Marines has recently arrived in the Middle East, while at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division are expected soon, alongside another 2,500 Marines being deployed from California, underscoring the scale of the potential escalation.&nbsp;<h2>A high-cost calculation</h2><h2>&nbsp;</h2>Kharg Island offers clear leverage over Iran’s oil exports, but the costs of capturing and holding it could be substantial.Experts warn that US troops would be highly vulnerable on Kharg Island due to its close proximity to the Iranian mainland, from where missiles, drones and artillery could be launched, leaving only a limited window for American forces to intercept incoming attacks even with air and naval support. As the conflict intensifies, the question is not only whether the island can be taken, but whether doing so would meaningfully change the outcome.

Iran and its proxies, including Yemen’s Houthi rebels, could intensify retaliation by laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz and launching drone strikes on targets across the Arabian Peninsula, from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea.

Kharg Island, a small outcrop on the opposite side of the Persian Gulf from US bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, is the centre of Iran’s oil industry, handling around 90 per cent of its exports. Its strategic importance has placed it at the centre of US considerations, as President Donald Trump weighs whether American forces could seize the island to pressure Tehran. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t,” Trump said, signalling that military options remain under review. Analysts, however, warn that targeting such a critical hub risks wider economic disruption and could further unsettle global energy markets. In a post on Truth Social, Trump also threatened to strike Iran’s broader infrastructure, including desalination plants, warning that if a deal to end the war is not reached and the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, the United States would “blow up and completely obliterate” Iran’s power plants, “oil wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalination plants), which we have purposefully not yet ‘touched’.” A risky operation for US forces Military experts, quoted by the Associated Press caution that any ground operation would expose US troops to significant danger. Kharg Island lies close to Iran’s mainland, placing forces within range of missiles, drones and artillery. Seizing Kharg Island could escalate the conflict, said Danny Citrinowicz, according to AP, an Iran expert at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies. Iran and its proxies, including Yemen’s Houthi rebels, could intensify retaliation by laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz and launching drone strikes on targets across the Arabian Peninsula, from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea. “It will be hard to take. It will be hard to hold,” Citrinowicz said of Kharg Island. “And it might damage the economy, but not in a way that will force the Iranians to capitulate.” ALSO READ: Water war': Trump threatens to blow up Iran’s desalination plants. How could retaliation leave Gulf cities thirsty? Even inserting troops “would be risky and carry the potential for casualties,” wrote AP, quoting Caitlin Talmadge of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also noted the difficulty of sustaining a presence so near Iranian defences. Limited impact on ending the war Kharg Island is about 33 kilometers (21 miles) off Iran’s coast. The US has already struck multiple targets on the island which includes air defenses, a radar site, the airport and a hovercraft base. Despite its strategic value, experts question whether capturing Kharg Island would alter the course of the conflict. The move could damage Iran’s economy, but may not compel Tehran to concede or end hostilities. One analyst described the idea as “a military mission in search of a strategic rationale,” highlighting uncertainty over what tangible outcome such risks would deliver. Others suggest alternatives, such as naval blockades, could exert pressure with fewer risks to personnel. ALSO READ: Plastic crisis? How the Iran war is choking petrochemical supply chains and driving price shock across Asia Seizing the island could provoke retaliation across the region, including attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure and shipping routes. Iran and its allies have already demonstrated their ability to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, raising the prospect of a broader conflict. At the same time, a US Navy ship carrying about 2,500 Marines has recently arrived in the Middle East, while at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division are expected soon, alongside another 2,500 Marines being deployed from California, underscoring the scale of the potential escalation. A high-cost calculation Kharg Island offers clear leverage over Iran’s oil exports, but the costs of capturing and holding it could be substantial.Experts warn that US troops would be highly vulnerable on Kharg Island due to its close proximity to the Iranian mainland, from where missiles, drones and artillery could be launched, leaving only a limited window for American forces to intercept incoming attacks even with air and naval support. As the conflict intensifies, the question is not only whether the island can be taken, but whether doing so would meaningfully change the outcome.

Iran and its proxies, including Yemen’s Houthi rebels, could intensify retaliation by laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz and launching drone strikes on targets across the Arabian Peninsula, from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea.

Could Trump's attempt to seize Iran’s Kharg Island risk troops’ lives and still fail to end war?

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Top military commanders from US, Israel, and 7 Arab nations held secret meeting on Iran War

US attempt to seize Kharg Island risk troops’ lives & still fail to end war