“The cooperation between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu against Iran is changing the course of regional and global history,” Katz said.
By United with Israel Staff
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke overnight with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as the United States and Israel continue coordinated military operations against Iran.
At the start of the conversation, Katz expressed condolences over the deaths of six American soldiers killed during the fighting. He told Hegseth that Israel is working – and will continue working – to assist in protecting U.S. forces operating in the region.
Katz also thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for what he described as strong American support for Israel during the war.
“The cooperation between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu against Iran is changing the course of regional and global history,” Katz said during the call.
The discussion focused on the close operational coordination between the Israel Defense Forces and the U.S. military as both countries continue their campaign against Iranian military targets.
As part of that coordination, the commander of the Israeli Air Force has been speaking daily with the commander of U.S. Air Forces Central Command (CENTCOM), maintaining direct operational communication between the two forces.
Israeli officials said the scale of the air operations has been significant. The Israeli Air Force has used roughly 5,500 munitions so far during the fighting, more than double the number used by U.S. forces to date.
Military officials also noted that air forces around the world have been closely observing the campaign and the operational output of the Israeli Air Force, including aircraft that have been in service for more than 50 years.
Israeli pilots have reported encountering Iranian air defense systems that were moved from eastern Iran to western parts of the country. Officials said no new foreign systems, including those believed to be of Chinese origin, have been identified so far.
During the call, Katz thanked Hegseth for American assistance in defending Israeli civilians from Iranian missile attacks and for the broader military and intelligence cooperation between the two countries.
Hegseth thanked Katz for the condolences and praised the cooperation between the two militaries and the operational capabilities of the Israel Defense Forces.
“Continue until the end. We are with you,” Hegseth told Katz.
The two officials agreed to continue close coordination and maintain ongoing contact as operations continue.
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