US Defense Secretary to visit occupied territories of Palestine

Austin’s visit will be the first time a top-level member of President Joe Biden’s administration has traveled to the Middle East. He is expected to discuss a number of issues, but chiefly the ongoing efforts to rekindle the Iran nuclear deal.

Israel long opposed the Obama-era nuclear deal, and tensions between Israel and Iran have been growing more strained in recent weeks.

Biden held his first call with Netanyahu on Feb. 17, waiting longer than most presidents do to contact America’s greatest Middle Eastern ally.

The Biden administration took the first step toward rejoining the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Friday, announcing a meeting on the issue with European, Russian and Chinese officials to be held Tuesday. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the meeting was well underway Tuesday afternoon, but said they are likely to meet for several days.