According to the statement made by the US Department of Defense (Pentagon), CENTCOM Commander Kurilla made a speech before the Senate Armed Services Committee on defense authorizations and programs for the 2025 budget year.
“The central region (the Middle East) is facing the most volatile security challenges of the last 50 years,” Kurilla said, adding that “a combination of crisis and rivalry” could pose a threat to the United States and trigger regional conflict.
Pointing out that “malicious actors taking advantage of the situation in Gaza are causing instability in the region”, Kurilla argued that Iran is “taking advantage” of the situation in the Middle East.
“Iran is aware that it will not be able to achieve its 10-year goal if the countries of the region continue to increase their integration with each other and strengthen their partnership with the United States,” General Kurilla said.
“Iran has abused its rare opportunity to reshape the Middle East to its advantage, using proxy forces in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, the West Bank and Yemen,” Kurilla said, adding that these forces, equipped with advanced weapons, threaten critical areas for the United States and globally.
Referring to the situation in Afghanistan, Kurilla noted that the terrorist organization DAESH/H continues to have the capacity and intention to attack US and Western interests abroad within 6 months, pointing out that the “risk of attack” has increased in Afghanistan.
Kurilla emphasized the need for continued US engagement with partners in the region.
