US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Cancels Planned Israel Trip Amid Rising Iran Tensions
Israeli officials confirmed the cancellation of the high-profile visit. Hegseth was expected to hold critical defense talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has abruptly canceled his first official trip to Israel, which was scheduled for Wednesday, following a sharp escalation in US-Iran tensions.
Israeli officials confirmed the cancellation of the high-profile visit. Hegseth was expected to hold critical defense talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
While regional instability and the Trump administration's hardening stance toward Iran are driving the decision, reports indicate the postponement is also tied to diplomatic sensitivities surrounding a potential US F-35 fighter jet sale to Turkey.
The last-minute cancellation highlights the volatile security situation in the Middle East and signals how rapidly defense priorities are shifting for both Washington and Jerusalem.
