Developments Concerning Iran Prompt the U.S. Secretary of Defense to Cancel a Planned Visit to Israel
Sources indicated that Pete Hegseth was expected to meet with Israel Katz and that the discussions were set to address, among other issues, Turkey’s possible return to the F-35 fighter jet program.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth canceled a planned visit to Israel on Wednesday, during which he was expected to discuss developments concerning Iran, Lebanon, and Turkey’s potential re-entry into the F-35 fighter aircraft program, according to several Israeli media outlets, including the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan). The cancellation follows the U.S. announcement that its memorandum of understanding with Tehran had come to an end following attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Although the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation did not specify the reasons behind the cancellation, all available indications point to the rapidly evolving Iranian file, particularly the announcement terminating the memorandum of understanding, a move that had drawn criticism from Israel.
Prior to the cancellation, Israeli media, citing an unnamed Israeli source, had reported that “the American secretary was scheduled to arrive in Israel on Wednesday for an official visit during which he would meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.”
According to those reports, Hegseth, who is accompanying President Donald Trump during his current visit to Turkey, was expected to hold discussions with Israeli officials focusing primarily on Iran and Lebanon, in addition to Turkey’s possible return to the F-35 fighter jet program, particularly amid the current escalation between Washington and Tehran.
Before it was canceled, the visit had been scheduled during a particularly sensitive regional period marked by international efforts to contain escalating tensions and prevent the conflict from spreading further, especially in light of the consequences of the confrontation with Iran and the rapidly evolving situation in Lebanon. It also came amid publicly visible disagreements between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu over the management of regional conflicts, particularly regarding policy toward Iran and the situation in Lebanon.
These developments also precede a new round of talks between Israel and Lebanon. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced that the negotiations would take place next week in Rome, while media reports indicated that the U.S. administration had invited Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to Washington to discuss the framework agreement.
The developments come one day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed confidence on Tuesday that the NATO Summit would reach a favorable decision regarding Turkey’s return to the F-35 program during his meeting with President Donald Trump in Ankara.
Erdoğan stated: “The F-35 issue is not new. We have discussed it previously with the United States. We were promised the delivery of five aircraft, and Mr. Trump also gave us his commitment on this matter.”
The possibility of Turkey’s return to the F-35 program is of particular importance to Israel, which is closely monitoring developments in U.S.-Turkish military relations amid growing tensions with Ankara. This issue also coincides with heightened political and media tensions between Turkey and Israel, making Ankara’s future participation in the advanced U.S. fighter aircraft program one of the most sensitive subjects in U.S.-Israeli discussions.
Turkey is hosting the NATO Summit on Tuesday and Wednesday for the second time in its history, following the Istanbul Summit held in 2004. The gathering carries particular significance given the challenges currently facing the Alliance and the broader international security architecture.
