Senior U.S. and Israeli military leaders held undisclosed discussions at the Pentagon on Friday, February 27, 2026, as regional tensions with Iran continue to escalate, according to two unnamed U.S. officials. The meeting between U.S. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Eyal Zamir, chief of staff of the Israeli armed forces, underscores heightened coordination amid fears of a broader conflict.
The talks followed recent U.S. military deployments to the Middle East, including expanded naval patrols and enhanced air defenses, as Washington seeks to counter perceived threats from Iran. President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized a strategy of “maximum pressure” to compel Tehran into negotiations, though Iranian leaders warned on Sunday that any U.S. attack would trigger a regional crisis.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz later met with Zamir to review the military’s preparedness for potential scenarios, according to a statement from Katz’s office. Analysts suggest the closed-door discussions likely focused on intelligence-sharing and contingency planning, though neither side has disclosed specifics.
The developments come amid growing concerns over stability in the Middle East, with global energy markets closely monitoring the situation. Business leaders and policymakers are urging caution, citing risks to trade routes and oil supplies critical to Asia’s economies.
