US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has held talks with Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon at the Pentagon during the Israeli minister's first official visit to Washington since taking office earlier this spring, according to a Pentagon press release issued Friday.
Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said in a statement summarizing the visit that Yaalon arrived at the Pentagon on board a MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft from Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia state. The Israeli minister was welcomed on arrival at the Pentagon by Hagel.
Hagel had announced in April that the United States would make the V-22 available to Israel "as part of an unprecedented package of advance military capabilities that will increase Israel's qualitative military edge," Little said in the statement.
At Quantico, Yaalon and his delegation experienced some of the Osprey's unique capabilities as Israel plans to incorporate the aircraft into future military planning, the Pentagon press secretary added.
During their meeting, the two defense leaders discussed the today's elections in Iran and reaffirmed that the United States and Israel will continue to work together to counter threats posed by Iran and remain prepared for a range of contingencies, Little said.
"Secretary Hagel and Minister Yaalon also discussed the ongoing violence in Syria and condemned the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime. Both noted the complexities of the situation and resolved to remain in close contact and continue to share information to support the defense of Israel," Little added.
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