Hegseth heads to Israel for first official trip as Pentagon chief
Pete Hegseth (photo: Getty Images)
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth may make his first official visit to Israel on Wednesday. The trip is expected to include talks with the country's leadership, one of which will be the issue of Turkey receiving US F-35 fighter jets, according to CNN.
Hegseth's first visit to Israel
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plans to visit Israel for the first time since taking office. Three sources familiar with the preparation of the trip told CNN about this.
At the same time, it is not yet known whether these plans will be affected by the US strikes on Iranian territory carried out on Wednesday night.
Who the Pentagon chief will meet with
According to one of the channel's sources, Hegseth intends to hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
According to sources, one of the goals of the visit will be to discuss Israel's concern over Türkiye's possible acquisition of US F-35 stealth fighters.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump mentioned this topic during the NATO summit in Ankara.
What Netanyahu said
In an exclusive interview with CNN, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
"He's not exactly a model ally of the United States," Netanyahu said, adding that the Turkish leader threatens to destroy his country, the one and only Jewish state.
Israel remains the only Middle Eastern country operating F-35 fighters – the most advanced US-made combat aircraft.
What is known about the trip
According to a US official familiar with preparations for the visit, Hegseth, who accompanied US President Donald Trump at the NATO summit in Türkiye, will leave the presidential delegation after the summit concludes and head to Israel.
CNN sent a request to the White House for comment on the information. The Pentagon declined to comment.
Despite the new US airstrikes on facilities along Iran's coast and the revocation of the license that allowed Tehran to export oil, Washington has not abandoned the diplomatic path. These steps were a response to attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, but the US side has stated its readiness to continue negotiations toward a possible agreement.
