US defence chief to visit Israel ahead of Trump's Middle East trip

US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth is set to visit Israel on May 12, marking his first trip to the country since assuming his role.

This visit comes at a critical juncture as tensions rise between the U.S. and Israel over the potential for military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, Caliber.Az reports, citing American media.

Hegseth's trip is expected to include meetings with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The discussions will take place against the backdrop of ongoing conflicts, including the war in Gaza and the U.S. military campaign in Yemen.

Following his visit to Israel, Hegseth will travel to Saudi Arabia to join President Donald Trump's tour of the Gulf region. While Trump is also slated to visit Qatar and the UAE, he is not currently expected to travel to Israel.

The visit is noteworthy given concerns among Israeli defence officials and pro-Israel groups in Washington. Many have expressed unease over Trump's Pentagon appointments, fearing that his picks, including Hegseth, may be skeptical of U.S. military involvement in the Middle East, especially regarding Iran.

Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu, have been pushing for a military option against Iran, further complicating the discourse surrounding the U.S.'s strategic approach in the region.

By Khagan Isayev