US Defense Secretary Pete Gossuth Visits Israel Amid Iran Tensions and F35 Deal Talks

US Defense Secretary Pete Gossuth is scheduled to visit Israel today after attending a meeting in Ankara with President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The visit comes amid escalating tensions with Iran. Gossuth is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz to discuss the situation in Iran and the potential supply of F35 fighter jets to Turkey.

The US military launched a series of strikes against Iran overnight in response to Iranian attacks on commercial ships. The US described Iran's aggression as unjustified, dangerous, and a clear violation of a ceasefire. Following the US strikes, air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain and Kuwait, signaling aerial threats.

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Kalibaf condemned the US attacks on social media, accusing the US of violating agreements and continuing aggression, and vowed Iran would not yield. Meanwhile, reports indicate that President Trump plans to inform Erdoğan of his intention to allow Turkey to purchase F35 jets, reversing Turkey's previous removal from the program due to national security concerns. This move contradicts Netanyahu's request to Trump not to proceed, with Netanyahu warning it would disrupt the Middle East's balance of power during an interview with CNN.

The visit and discussions highlight the complex dynamics between the US, Israel, Turkey, and Iran amid ongoing regional security challenges and shifting alliances.