Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz spoke with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Tuesday amid the ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Katz wrote in a social media post.
Katz stated that he thanked Hegseth for U.S. President Donald Trump’s “bold decision to act with Israel against the Iranian nuclear threat.” Hegseth then “praised” Israel and the Israeli Defense Forces “for the historic achievements made.”
Katz also “emphasized that Israel will respect the ceasefire—as long as the other side does.”
Iran initially broke the ceasefire announced by Trump hours after it went into effect by launching missiles into Israel. Two launches were detected and intercepted, according to reports, shortly after Jerusalem agreed to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire.
The Israeli Defense Minister also stated that he and Hegseth “agreed to deepen the close U.S.-Israel security cooperation.”