US remains '100 percent committed to Israel's security': Defense secretary

By Elif Gultekin Karahacıoglu and Fatma Zehra Solmaz

ANKARA / ISTANBUL (AA) - US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday spoke with his Israeli counterpart Israel Katz, and reaffirmed full commitment to Israel’s security.

The two spoke over the phone to discuss "bilateral interests, regional developments and opportunities, and security assistance priorities," according to a readout by the US Defense Department.

Hegseth reaffirmed that the US "remains 100 percent committed to Israel's security and emphasized the unbreakable bond that exists between the United States and Israel."

The two also said that Iran "remains a threat to regional security" and agreed to collaborate in addressing the "challenge."

The conversation came two days after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expedited the delivery of $4 billion in military assistance to Israel.

According to Rubio, since US President Donald Trump took office in late January, his administration has approved nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to Israel.