The announcement comes amid heightened international scrutiny of weapons transfers to Israel and growing concern in Jerusalem that future conflicts could be constrained by political or legal limits imposed by allies.

John Ratcliffe's first official visit to the Jewish state since taking office comes amid U.S. attempts to revive negotiations on a nuclear deal with the Iranian regime, as well as with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

After accusing U.N. inspectors of failing to challenge Tehran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stepped up threats to attack Iranian nuclear sites and called a rare cabinet war practice.