Jerusalem, July 20 (IANS): US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter on Monday met Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Ya'alon, the first time since the nuclear agreement with Iran was signed.
"We need to work together to preserve security in the region," Carter told Ya'alon, adding: "Israel is a source of stability of the US strategy in the Middle East."
Carter, whose visit was scheduled before the announcement of the nuclear agreement last Tuesday, arrived overnight amidst evident tensions between Israel and the US over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's staunch opposition to the agreement, Xinhua news agency reported.
Carter pledged the US commitment to Israel's security, noting that his visit marks "80 years of close friendship" between the two countries.
On Tuesday, Carter is scheduled to meet Netanyahu, who called the nuclear agreement between Iran and the six world powers "a historic mistake".