Israeli Defense Minister cancels his visit to US
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (photo: Getty Images)
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has canceled his scheduled visit to the US on Wednesday, October 9, at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reports Reuters.
The US Department of Defense did not explain why Gallant canceled his visit and directed reporters to the Israeli Defense Ministry.
"We were just informed that Minister Gallant will be postponing his trip to Washington," Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated at a briefing.
According to Israeli outlet Ynet, Gallant had hoped that his visit to the US would enhance coordination regarding Iran. However, just hours before his departure, Netanyahu imposed two preliminary conditions: a phone call with President Biden and cabinet approval for a response to Iranian actions.
Biden and his aides had been discussing a potential conversation with Netanyahu since late September. However, the White House did not immediately respond to inquiries about whether such a meeting was scheduled.
The unexpected cancellation of the visit on Tuesday came amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, as Israel weighs its response to the second missile attack from Tehran this year that occurred last week.
Biden stated that he believes Israel has yet to decide how to respond to Iran and suggested that he would consider alternatives to strikes on Iranian oil facilities.
On Tuesday, Iran warned Israel against carrying out threats of retaliation.
The Iranian Foreign Minister declared that any attack on Iranian infrastructure would be met with vengeance, while a senior Iranian official warned Gulf countries that it would be unacceptable and provoke a corresponding response if they allowed their airspace to be used against Iran.
Western nations are seeking a diplomatic solution, fearing that the conflict could destabilize the entire Middle East, a region known for its significant oil production.
Risk of a large-scale war in the Middle East
Since October 1, the Israeli army has been conducting a large-scale military operation against the Islamic group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
On October 8, Iran launched a significant ballistic missile attack on Israel.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the attack was carried out in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in July, the leader of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, and the killing of IRGC General Abbas Nilforushan last week.
The Israeli army intends to retaliate for the Israeli attacks. In particular, the IDF may target Iranian oil facilities. Strikes against Iranian nuclear sites are also possible.
Iran has warned Israel of serious consequences should such strikes be carried out.
