US Defence Secretary Hegseth to visit Israel amid concerns over potential F-35 sale to Turkey

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US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth attends the official welcoming ceremony held at the Presidential Complex, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (not seen) welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump (not seen), who arrived in Turkiye for an official visit ahead of the 36th NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government, in Ankara, Turkiye, on July 07, 2026. [Mehmet Ali Özcan - Anadolu Agency]https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AA-20260707-41906169-41906165-NATO_HEADS_OF_STATE_AND_GOVERNMENT_SUMMIT_IN_ANKARA-e1783501917526.jpg" style="margin-bottom: 15px;" width="1200" />
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to make his first official visit to Israel on Wednesday amid heightened regional tensions and Israeli concerns over reports that Washington may consider approving the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey.

It was not immediately clear whether recent US military strikes targeting Iran would affect the timing of the visit or lead to changes in the planned schedule.

According to a source cited by CNN, Hegseth is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz.

The source said one of the visit’s principal objectives is to reassure Israeli leaders regarding reports that the United States may approve the sale of advanced F-35 fighter aircraft to […]

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