The U.S. and Israeli air forces will hold a series of joint drills simulating a strike on Iran, set to begin on Tuesday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.
Fighter jets and refueling aircraft will play out “a number of scenarios in the face of regional threats” over Israel and the Mediterranean sea, the IDF said, including strikes on Iran and its regional proxy militias, according to The Times of Israel. The plans come after IDF chief Avi Kohavi visited Washington on Nov. 21 to pressure the White House and Pentagon for reinforced planning for combined offensives against Iran, whose nuclear program has accelerated in the midst of failed negotiations on a deal the Biden administration hoped would curb Iranian proliferation.
“In order to improve our capabilities toward the challenges in the region, joint activity with CENTCOM will be significantly expanded in the near future,” Kohavi said in a statement Thursday, referring to U.S. Central Command, the Army command with responsibility for operations in the Middle East. “At the same time, the IDF will continue to act at an accelerated rate against the entrenchment of the Iranian regime in the region.”
Kohavi and U.S. officials agreed to the drills during last week’s series of meetings, where the IDF chief met with National Security Council, CIA, Pentagon and State Department leaders.
