Gallant Delaying Trip to US Amidst Iran Attack Plans

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has postponed a planned visit to Washington to discuss plans for a response to Iran's massive ballistic missile attack last week with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. A Pentagon statement on Tuesday said that no explanation had been offered by the Israeli side for the delay. However, the news portal Axios reported that the delay is a result of an order from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who wants to consult with President Joe Biden first.

“The two leaders talk frequently by phone, so this in-person visit provides the opportunity to continue their ongoing discussions in more depth,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Monday.

Reports have emerged in the media over recent days of extensive conversations between Israeli and US defense officials about the size, score, nature and targets of Israeli retaliation for Iran's ballistic missile attack. Other allied nations might also join in the attacks, but that has yet to be determined, according to these reports.

US officials have sometimes complained that Israel is not responding well to US advice.

“It’s obvious that they haven’t taken every bit of advice that I’ve provided,” Austin told a group of traveling reporters last week. “But I recognize that they’re going to do things their way.”

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