“We achieved the unimaginable together. Our joint achievement is historic,” US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Brad Cooper told senior IDF commanders on Monday in remarks obtained exclusively by The Jerusalem Post.
“You are a nation of warriors, and the people sitting here are the leaders of those warriors,” Cooper told the officers. “I am proud to serve shoulder to shoulder with you.”
Cooper also delivered a direct message about the future of the US-Israel military relationship.
CENTCOM chief stresses enduring US commitment to Israel
“We have a high and enduring commitment to you,” he said.
According to a source familiar with the closed forum, Cooper said that many countries speak about allies fighting “shoulder to shoulder,” but that in the case of the US and Israel, the phrase described an operational reality.
The source described Cooper’s appearance as historic, saying it was highly unusual for a CENTCOM commander to address an IDF operational forum of this kind.
The gathering, led by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, included senior IDF officers and operational commanders from the rank of lieutenant-colonel and above, among them battalion commanders and squadron commanders who had taken part in the war.
The commanders received a multi-front operational and intelligence briefing, including a review of developments during the war and Israel’s achievements against Iran. Zamir also delivered an extensive assessment of the current strategic situation.
US-Israel military partnership deepens amid war
Cooper’s closed-door comments were stronger and more personal than the remarks included in the IDF’s official statement on the meeting.
The IDF said Cooper reviewed the deepening strategic partnership between the US and Israeli militaries, saying that cooperation between the two had repeatedly proven itself throughout the campaign.
According to the military, Cooper stressed that the partnership was based on trust, commitment and close cooperation, and had become an important element in strengthening regional security and stability.
Zamir thanked Cooper for the close cooperation between the militaries and presented him with a gift. He described cooperation with the US military as “unprecedented” and called it a “strategic anchor.”
Zamir: Israel at a ‘strategic crossroads’
“We are in a significant period and at a strategic crossroads,” Zamir told the forum.
“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.”
Zamir said diplomatic negotiations were currently taking place in several of Israel’s main theaters and linked those talks directly to the IDF’s military achievements.
“All of these are the result of the IDF’s historic achievements,” he said. “We must ensure that we fully realize the achievements of the campaign and maximize them.”
“We are well prepared on defense, alongside immediate readiness and alertness for a return to high-intensity fighting.”
Zamir told commanders that the IDF was carrying out what he described as a systematic and structured plan for victory.
“Since October 7, the IDF has proven itself as a victorious military, with a spirit of strength, an offensive and initiating military,” he said.
“The achievements we have made on all fronts are first and foremost your achievements,” Zamir told the commanders, referring to troops and personnel across the ground forces, navy, air force, intelligence, communications, logistics and administration.
“Together, you led the IDF to significant achievements and changed the security reality.”
Zamir said the military was now in an interim period and warned commanders against allowing forces to lose their readiness.
“Alongside the desire to allow forces to refresh, we must not lose vigilance,” he said.
“We are required to maintain high readiness, be prepared for a rapid return to high-intensity fighting, respond quickly to every development and continue protecting our citizens.”
“The challenge now is to continue shaping reality, build the force and ensure that the IDF is prepared for every scenario,” Zamir said.