Katz, Hegseth to Discuss Iran Post-War as Israeli Defense Delegation Heads to U.S.

Latest Developments

First U.S. Visit for Defense Minister: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz is traveling to Washington, where he will meet his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and other senior Trump administration officials. According to Israeli officials, the threat still posed by Iran in the wake of last month’s Operation Rising Lion will top the agenda, as well as the continued attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The visit marks Katz’s first to the United States as Israel’s defense minister.
Iran Recovering and Rearming: “We are already identifying Iran’s attempts to recover and embark on a global force-building effort,” Amir Baram, director-general of Israel’s Defense Ministry, said on July 15. “We must prepare ourselves with the same sense of urgency and agree on an accelerated force build-up program for the coming year — and for an intense decade, from a national-security standpoint.” Baram, a former deputy chief of the IDF’s General Staff, will accompany Katz to Washington, where the two allies will discuss U.S. assistance for Israel’s defensive preparations.
War Planner to Join Delegation: Also joining Katz’s retinue will be Maj. Gen. Oded Basiuk, who is wrapping up a four-year tenure as chief of the IDF Operations Directorate. Basiuk spearheaded Israel’s response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, atrocities, the prosecution of the ensuing seven-front war, and coordination with U.S. forces against Iran and the Houthis. After a record-setting tenure, Basiuk tendered his resignation in March but remained at the request of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir to assist with long-term military planning.

FDD Expert Response

“This visit marks a critical opportunity to reestablish strategic clarity between Washington and Jerusalem. Iran may have taken a hit in Operation Rising Lion, but it’s already rebuilding and rearming — and doing so globally. Katz and Baram are right to sound the alarm. The next phase of U.S.-Israel defense coordination must be about accelerating joint capabilities, not just containing fallout.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“The Islamic Republic is adapting quickly after the blows it took. Its proxies, like the Houthis in Yemen, continue to strike with impunity while Tehran rebuilds its own arsenal. The Katz visit should drive home that Iran is not a post-war afterthought — it’s still the central threat. This is no time for complacency.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal