U.S. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla visited Israel this week to meet with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, following a series of joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure. The visit underscored the growing military coordination between Washington and Tel Aviv and came amid efforts to consolidate the gains of “Operation Rising Lion” and “Operation Midnight Hammer.”

Operation Midnight Hammer: Preemptive Strike on Iran

The U.S. and Israel jointly executed Operation Midnight Hammer in late June, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities that had reportedly approached the 90% uranium enrichment threshold. According to Gen. Kurilla, intelligence estimates indicated Iran could produce 25 kilograms of weapons-grade uranium in a week—enough for one bomb—and potentially accumulate material for up to ten nuclear weapons within three weeks.

The strikes aimed to delay Iran’s program and prevent any immediate breakout capability. The U.S. Pentagon later confirmed the attacks set back Iran’s nuclear development by 1–2 years.

High-Level Military Coordination

Kurilla’s visit included a tour of an underground Israel Air Force operations center with IAF chief Maj.-Gen. Tomer Bar. U.S. and Israeli military officials held joint panels to assess the outcomes of Operation Rising Lion, a broader regional security initiative.

Israeli officials reportedly pushed for the strike before Kurilla’s departure from his CENTCOM post, highlighting both the urgency and trust placed in his leadership.

The meetings also focused on deepening operational integration and addressing persistent regional threats from Iran and its allied militias in Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq.