The head of the U.S. Central Command, Army Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, met with Israel’s Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, in Tel Aviv on Monday amid heightened tensions in the region. Concerns are growing that Iran could soon attack Israel or that Israel might preemptively strike against Iran, potentially triggering a wider regional conflict.

“Your arrival in Israel at this time is a direct translation of U.S. support for Israel, into action,” said Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. “The relationship between Israel and the United States is unshakable.”

Kurilla and Halevi discussed coordination of defense cooperation between the U.S. and Israel. They also conducted a joint assessment of security and strategic issues, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said.

Gallant also expressed gratitude to U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Biden administration for military aid and support as Israeli forces continue to confront Hamas and Hezbollah on multiple fronts.

Monday’s meeting comes as officials prepare for a potential Israeli strike on Iran, with Israel facing threats from all its borders. Meanwhile, U.S. forces in the Mediterranean Sea have carried out airstrikes against drones and other targets operated by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis for months.

Concerns over Israeli security have intensified following the assassination of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh last week. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, but Iran and Hamas have blamed the Jewish state and vowed retaliation.

Nasser Kanaani, the spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, stated on Monday that Iran has “the intrinsic right to provide for its own security and punish the aggressor,” and “will definitely take serious deterrent action with power and decisiveness.” He asserted that Iran would act in accordance with international law and the right of self-defense.

The U.S. is urging nations to convey to Iran “that it is very much not in their interests to escalate this conflict,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Monday.

“So certainly I would expect that some of them would pass that message along and impress that point upon the government of Iran,” Miller said. “But I’ll let them, each individual country, speak to their particular conversations.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Qatar Prime Minister Al-Thani and the United Arab Emirates about tensions in the Middle East, Miller said. Biden also spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan, emphasizing the need for de-escalation in the region and thanking him for his efforts to achieve peace and stability.

“The King called for ceasing all escalatory measures, as well as respecting and implementing international law according to unified standards,” a readout of the call released by the Jordanians states. “His Majesty warned of extremist settler violence against Palestinians, as well as unilateral Israeli measures that undermine the prospects of peace and target the historical and legal status quo of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, which may fuel violence in the region.”

Abdullah also acknowledged the U.S. as crucial in halting the war in Gaza and achieving a lasting ceasefire.

Digital’s Caitlin McFall contributed to this report.