IDF denies IDF chief apologized to CENTCOM head after Katz said USAF struck Iran from Israeli bases

Saudi outlet Al-Arabiya initially reported that IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir had to apologize to CENTCOM after Defense Minister Katz revealed US jets were operating from Israeli bases.Follow us on GoogleCENTCOM's Adm. Brad Cooper meets with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir in Israel, September 6, 2025(photo credit: US CENTCOM)ByTOBIAS HOLCMANJULY 29, 2026 19:16IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir was forced to apologize for Defense Minister Israel Katz's remarks revealing that US planes were taking off from Israeli bases to attack Iran, Saudi outlet Al-Arabiya reported on Wednesday.According to Al-Arabiya, which cited military sources, the officers in charge of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) were outraged about Katz's comments, forcing Zamir to issue an apology about the situation.However, the IDF later dismissed the Al-Arabiya report, stating that "the publication regarding the conversation between the chief of staff and the CENTCOM commander [Adm. Brad Cooper] is incorrect. The chief of staff has not spoken with the CENTCOM commander since the minister's remarks were published."The report also claimed, according to its sources, that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "furious" following Katz's comments regarding the American planes taking off from Israel.Additionally, Al-Arabiya reported that a state of "maximum alert" was declared, fearing that the revelation made by Katz would trigger an Iranian attack against Israel.PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir attend the graduation ceremony of an IDF officers’ course in southern Israel, June 25, 2026. (credit: FLASH90)IDF intercepts drones over JordanKatz spoke on Tuesday with right-wing TV outlet Channel 14’s “Bitchonistim,” and claimed that "the Iranians know” that the jets have taken off from Israel to strike Iran.On Monday and Tuesday, the IDF intercepted at least three drones in the Jordanian border region. A source told The Jerusalem Post that the drones were likely launched by Iran-backed Shi’ite militias in Iraq.“We know how to manage things, and we are prepared,” Katz said when asked about these developments.“The arrogant empire that threatened to destroy Israel has collapsed,” Katz added.“We announced in the clearest terms that if Israel is fired upon, we will attack with all our might. We are prepared to strike Iran,” he warned.James Genn and Amichai Stein contributed to this report.Follow us on Google