Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who briefed him on American military activity in Iran, according to the Defense Ministry. The two agreed to continue cooperation amid any developments, and Katz reiterated Israel's determination to maintain security zones in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon to protect border communities.
The overnight conversation between Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth focused on American military operations in Iran and Israel's security posture across its borders, according to the Defense Ministry. The call, first reported by N12 journalist Nitzan Shapira at 08:36 Jerusalem Thursday, was later confirmed by the Defense Ministry and then by Katz himself. Hegseth briefed Katz on US activity in Iran, and the two agreed to maintain close coordination in the face of any developments.
The Defense Ministry said Katz reviewed Israel's ongoing operations against jihadist groups in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon, and reiterated that Israel will not withdraw from the security zones it holds in those areas. Katz stated that Israel has never asked the US to act on its behalf along its borders and is committed to defending its citizens independently, citing the lessons of the October 7 attack. The call reflects the close defense ties between the two countries amid a volatile regional landscape.
The Zioneer has reported extensively on Katz's position on the security zones. In a June 15 article, Katz said the IDF will stay in the zones indefinitely and warned Iran of a "full-force" response to any attack. On July 1, he reinforced the open-ended presence, saying the IDF will remain "until further notice." On June 12, Katz clarified that Israel will not withdraw from the zones even amid US-Iran talks. Katz has stated that the position has been conveyed directly to President Trump and Secretary Hegseth.
What remains open: The Defense Ministry did not detail the nature or scope of the US operations in Iran, and the timing of further coordination between the two countries was not specified. The call's context—ongoing US military operations against Iran—raises questions about the degree of operational cooperation, which has not been publicly clarified.
6 developments
- StrongKatz: IDF will stay in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones indefinitely, rejects withdrawal pressure
- StrongKatz: Netanyahu told Trump Israel won't withdraw from Lebanon, Syria, Gaza security zones
- StrongDefense Minister Katz to Trump: Israel did not ask permission to enter Lebanon, will not need it to stay
- StrongDefense Minister Katz speaks with US counterpart Hegseth
Source and signal
- Internal intake