Pentagon says Israeli defense minister cancels Washington visit

Photo: Lloyd Austin and Yoav Gallant /REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has canceled a visit to Washington on Wednesday, the Pentagon said. Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to talk to U.S. President Joe Biden first, Reuters reported.

The sudden cancellation of the visit comes amid growing tensions between Israel and Iran, as Israel weighs options for responding to Tehran's missile attack last week, the second this year on Israel.

The Pentagon declined to say why Gallant canceled his visit and referred reporters to the Israeli Defense Ministry. Netanyahu and Gallant's offices did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
“We have just been informed that Secretary Gallant will be postponing his trip to Washington,” Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said at a briefing.

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Israel's Ynet news agency reported that Gallant had hoped his visit to the U.S. would strengthen coordination on Iran, but hours before his departure, Netanyahu set two preconditions: a phone call with Biden and cabinet approval of a response to Iran.

The White House referred questions about Gallant's visit to the Israeli government. Biden and his aides have been talking about a possible call with Netanyahu since late September. But the White House did not immediately respond to a question about whether such a call was planned.

Biden said on Friday that he believed Israel had not yet decided how to respond to Iran, adding that he would consider alternatives to striking Iranian oil fields if he were Israel.

Iran warned Israel on Tuesday not to carry out threats of retaliation.

Iran's foreign minister said any attack on Iran's infrastructure would be retaliated against, while a senior Iranian official told Gulf states it would be “unacceptable” and will provoke a response if they allow their airspace to be used against Iran.

Western powers are seeking a diplomatic solution, fearing that the conflict could shake up the entire oil-producing Middle East.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga