Hegseth Cancels Israel Visit Amid Iran and F-35 Tensions

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth canceled a planned Wednesday visit to Israel that would have included meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. Israeli sources said the cancellation was made in the morning while Hegseth was in Ankara with President Donald Trump for the NATO summit. The visit had been expected against the backdrop of U.S. strikes on Iran, Israeli concern over a possible F-35 sale to Turkey, and wider U.S.-Israel coordination. The cancellation leaves Jerusalem managing defense diplomacy with Washington while pressing to preserve Israel's qualitative military edge.