While Ashton Carter, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, is set to travel to Tel Aviv on Sunday, July 19, to meet with Israeli officials, American officials say that Washington has no plans to deliver new weaponry to Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon stated on Friday that his country would request an additional $1.5 billion in weaponry from the U.S. due to 'increased security risks for Israel from the Iran nuclear agreement and global powers.' Unnamed American officials told the Associated Press on Sunday that the U.S. has no plans to provide new weapons to Israel to 'compensate' for the nuclear agreement reached with Iran. This comes despite reports last month of an increase in annual U.S. defense aid to Israel following the approach of a comprehensive nuclear agreement with Iran. Ashton Carter had stated on the day the nuclear agreement with Iran was reached that the United States was 'prepared and positioned to enhance Israel's security'; however, he did not provide details regarding this readiness. The U.S. Secretary of Defense will begin his meetings with the Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister on the evening of Sunday, July 19. Barack Obama had stated that he was sending his Secretary of Defense to the Middle East to alleviate the concerns of Israel and Saudi Arabia regarding the recent nuclear agreement between Iran and the powers. Following his visit to Israel, Mr. Ashton Carter will also travel to Saudi Arabia, which, alongside Israel, has become another regional rival of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the nuclear arena and Iranian Middle Eastern policies. While the Saudis share common concerns with Israel regarding Iran, they have apparently supported the nuclear agreement. Meanwhile, King Salman stated last week during a phone call with Barack Obama, and Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi Foreign Minister, during a meeting with John Kerry in Washington, that Iran must use the released funds for the right purposes and not for 'supporting evil in the Middle East.' According to reports, Ashton Carter will also visit Jordan during this regional trip to discuss the fight against the 'Islamic State' group with King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Associated Press: Washington Has No Plan for New Military Aid to Israel
U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter is visiting Israel and Saudi Arabia amid rising security concerns related to the Iran nuclear agreement. Israeli officials are requesting additional military aid from the U.S. due to perceived threats from Iran. The situation highlights ongoing tensions in the region and the complexities of U.S. foreign policy.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The U.S. has no plans to provide new military aid to Israel despite Israeli requests following the Iran nuclear agreement. Ashton Carter is visiting Israel and other Middle Eastern countries to discuss regional security concerns.
- Israel requested an additional $1.5 billion in weaponry from the U.S.
- The U.S. is not planning to deliver new weaponry to Israel as compensation for the Iran nuclear deal.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Iran nuclear agreement aims to limit Iran's nuclear capabilities in exchange for lifting economic sanctions, causing regional security concerns.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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