Israel's defence minister cancels visit to Washington, Pentagon says

WASHINGTON - Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has cancelled an Oct 9 visit to the Pentagon, the Pentagon said, as Israeli media reported Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted first to speak with US President Joe Biden.

The surprise cancellation on Oct 8 comes amid soaring tensions between Israel and Iran as Israel weighs options to respond to Tehran's missile attack last week, its second in 2024 against Israel.

The Pentagon declined to say why Mr Gallant cancelled his visit, and referred reporters to Israel's Ministry of Defence. Offices for Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"We were just informed that Minister Gallant will be postponing his trip to Washington," Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told a news briefing.

Israel's Ynet news outlet reported that Mr Gallant had hoped his US visit would strengthen coordination on Iran, but hours before departure, Mr Netanyahu set two preconditions: the call with Mr Biden and Cabinet approval of the response to Iran.

The White House referred questions about the Mr Gallant visit to the Israeli government. Mr Biden and his aides have spoken of a possible call with Mr Netanyahu since the end of September. But the White House did not immediately respond to a query on whether such a call had now been scheduled.

Mr Biden said on Oct 4 he thought Israel had not yet concluded how to respond to Iran, and added that he would think about alternatives to striking Iranian oil fields if he were in Israel's shoes.

Iran on Oct 8 warned Israel not to follow through on threats of retaliation.

Its foreign minister said any attack on Iran's infrastructure would be avenged, while a senior Iranian official told Gulf states it would be "unacceptable" and would draw a response if they allowed their airspace to be used against Iran.

Western powers are seeking a diplomatic solution, fearing the conflict could roil the wider, oil-producing Middle East. REUTERS