Both Gantz and Esper delivered remarks on the importance of the meeting.
He added that "while we combat the coronavirus pandemic, we need to remember that our enemies will not rest for one moment."
"So many... countries in the region recognize that the biggest concern they have... is Iran and its maligned behavior," he said • Craft responding to Zarif: "You can't have it both ways"
He added, however, that South Korea and the United States must find a more equitable way of sharing defense costs so it "doesn't fall unequally on the American taxpayers."
He emphasized that Israel's defense system backs and appreciates the US's policy of pressure on Iran on the international front, while being in close cooperation with Israel on the subject.
It was unclear if Esper's trip would be contingent upon securing special travel waivers given the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which has strained already fraught US-China relations.
Trump's bid to militarize the US response to the protests has triggered a rare outpouring of condemnation from former US military officials, including Trump's first defense secretary, Jim Mattis.
Twelve lawmakers representing key Senate and House of Representatives committees called for continued U.S. support of the international peacekeeping force in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
Esper said the Afghan government and the Taliban "both need to come together and make progress on the terms that (are) laid out."
According to one official, the rockets used in the attacks have become increasingly sophisticated with rockets with longer ranges and higher explosive power.
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