CENTCOM Commander Hails Israel and Arab Allies as ‘Exceptional’ Partners in Conflict with Iran
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), has commended Israel and several Arab states hosting American military bases as “exceptional” allies in the ongoing conflict with Iran. His remarks come as a two-week ceasefire is set to expire next Friday, with reports suggesting a possible second round of peace talks may take place this week.
During a press conference at the Pentagon with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Cooper praised Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates as “exceptional teammates.” He singled out Israel as “no better teammate,” highlighting the close coordination between the two nations’ military leadership.
Cooper emphasized the combined strength of the Israeli Air Force, the US Air Force, and the air forces of the US Navy and Marine Corps, stating that together they have “met and exceeded” military objectives repeatedly. He noted that he had met with Israel’s Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, late last month to ensure continued alignment between the two countries.
The conflict has drawn mixed reactions in the United States, with some Democrats and Republicans, as well as former US National Counterterrorism Center chief Joe Kent, suggesting that President Trump was pressured by Israel to launch the war against Iran. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, have accused Trump of abandoning his “America First” agenda in favor of an “Israel First” approach.
Secretary Hegseth rejected the notion that the war had been “foisted upon” Trump by Israel, asserting that the President makes decisions based on US interests and collaborates with allies accordingly. Kent, who resigned from his position in protest of the war, stated that intelligence agencies could not confirm Trump’s claim that Iran was pursuing nuclear weapons.
As the ceasefire nears its end, attention remains focused on whether renewed diplomatic efforts can prevent further escalation in the region.
