The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that senior U.S. military commanders, Israel, and eight regional countries held discussions last week in a scheduled meeting in Germany on strengthening security cooperation in the Middle East.

Axios had previously reported, citing Israeli officials, that the meeting was convened at the initiative of Brad Cooper, the CENTCOM commander, and that the Iran war and regional tensions were among its topics.

According to reports, the chiefs of staff of Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt attended the meeting. Cooper told those present that the United States would not withdraw its forces from the region despite attacks by the Islamic Republic on its bases, and he outlined Washington’s plan to increase the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Axios also reported that Israel and Saudi Arabia are discussing, with the help of CENTCOM, possible support by Israel for Riyadh’s operations against the Houthis. One of the options under consideration is providing Israeli intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support to Saudi Arabia, and it is not expected that Israel would directly participate in offensive operations against the Houthis.