US Defense Secretary Cancels Planned Visit to Israel Amid Rising US-Iran Tensions

US Defense Secretary Pete Higgsith has called off his planned trip to Israel, which was set to occur alongside escalating military tensions between the United States and Iran. Neither Washington nor Tel Aviv has issued an official statement explaining the cancellation.

Israeli media reported on Wednesday that this visit would have been Higgsith’s first to Israel since assuming office. The trip was to follow his participation in the NATO summit in Ankara, where he was expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz.

According to sources cited by CNN, the visit aimed to discuss regional security developments and reassure Israel about the future of defense cooperation between the United States and Turkey. A particular focus was on the possibility of Ankara’s reintegration into the F-35 fighter jet program.

The cancellation came just hours after the United States announced a new wave of military strikes targeting locations inside Iran. Tehran responded with a series of attacks against American sites in the Gulf. At the same time, US President Donald Trump declared the end of the memorandum of understanding with Iran and announced an escalation of pressure on the country.

This decision coincided with ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and mutual accusations between Washington and Tehran over violations of a ceasefire agreement. Concerns persist about the potential expansion of conflict in the region.

To date, neither the Pentagon nor the White House has commented officially on the cancellation or on the possibility of rescheduling the visit. The Israeli government has also not released any additional information regarding this development.