Israeli Defense Minister Meets With CENTCOM in Expectation of Iranian Strikes

General Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled to Israel today to meet with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Israel Defense Forces (IDF) chief of general staff Lieutenant General Herzl “Herzi” Halevi.

Gallant said he and Halevi spoke with Kurilla to coordinate defense activity against Iranian military action, and strategize expansion of the international coalition confronting Iran, stating on X:

The visit by @CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla at this time, is a direct translation of U.S. support for Israel into action. The relationship between Israel and the United States is unshakeable. In my meeting with General Kurilla and IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Halevi, we discussed the coordination of defense activities and ways to expand the international coalition facing aggressive actions by Iran and its proxies.

Concurrent to the meeting between U.S. and Israeli officials, Russia’s secretary of the Security Council, Sergei Shoigu, traveled to Iran to meet with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Pezeshkian said he and Shoigu discussed Russian and Iranian cooperation, stating:

The shared position and cooperation between Iran and Russia in promoting the multipolar world order will help strengthen global security and peace…. Russia has always been with Iran in difficult times and strengthening relations with such a strategic partner is one of the priorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s foreign policy.