US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will visit Israel next week, according to a report published on Tuesday.
Austin is slated to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Axios reported based on anonymous Israeli officials.
The leaders are expected to address a gauntlet of regional issues, including Iran and situations in Syria and Lebanon, said officials.
PA's Abbas will have something to sayhttps://t.co/onWd0mttPS
— The Masked Margie (@MargieInTelAviv) April 7, 2021
Austin's visit will mark the first Cabinet-level travel to Israel since US President Joe Biden assumed office in January.
It comes amid an increase in covert naval attacks between Iran and Israel in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. Multiple reports said Israel has been clandestinely sabotaging Iranian tankers and ships bound for Lebanon and Syria.
The vessels were reportedly ferrying arms and oil to the countries.
Austin is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz. The agenda will include Iran and other regional issues like Syria and Lebanon, Israeli officials say.https://t.co/ruruSCKIoc
— Axios (@axios) April 6, 2021
Iran has retaliated by targeting Israeli-owned ships at sea, including a suspected missile attack on March 25 and a possible limpet mine attack in late February.
On Tuesday, reports said a cargo ship linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps came under attack off the coast of Eritrea.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
