Hegseth planning to visit Israel on Wednesday amid concerns over potential F-35 sale to Turkey

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit Israel on Wednesday, marking his first trip to the country as Pentagon chief. The visit aims to alleviate Israeli concerns regarding a potential sale of F-35 stealth fighters to Turkey, a move Jerusalem has opposed. Discussions are also expected to cover Iran. Hegseth is likely to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. Meanwhile, Ireland's parliament has approved legislation prohibiting the import of goods from Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. This bill, guided by a 2024 International Court of Justice advisory opinion, marks one of Europe's most significant trade measures against Israel. Separately, a U.S. official revealed that recent American strikes in Iran targeted Iranian air defense systems, surveillance systems, missiles, and drone launch sites. Iran's foreign ministry condemned a U.S. Treasury decision to revoke the temporary suspension of sanctions on its oil sales, calling it a breach of an agreement and vowing decisive action.