Israel’s Defense Minister Scraps Trip to Washington, DC: Pentagon
Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant was supposed to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has delayed a planned meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in the United States just before his scheduled departure, as per the Pentagon.
Singh did not provide specific details on why Israel decided to postpone the visit.
“This was a visit that Minister Gallant had scheduled. The Secretary would welcome him at the Pentagon,” Singh stated. “The visit has been postponed, and we will coordinate with Minister Gallant’s office if the trip is rescheduled at a later date.”
Singh mentioned that Austin and Gallant are in “constant communication,” and Secretary Austin is eager to see him soon.
The Pentagon deputy press secretary mentioned that the duration of Gallant’s postponed visit to Washington is uncertain.
Gallant and Austin may have a phone conversation in the coming days or weeks, according to Singh.
Singh emphasized that there is nothing that cannot be discussed over the phone instead of in person.
The canceled visit comes after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a missile strike against Israel earlier this month in response to the killings of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah last month.
Israel has promised to retaliate against Tehran’s strike, prompting a warning from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi about potential stronger responses to any attacks on Iranian infrastructure.
Ryan Morgan and Reuters contributed to this report.