US House Speaker Johnson postpones trip to Israel

Postponed Knesset speech may still happen, he signals

FILE PHOTO: US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) looks on, after President Donald Trump delivered remarks on tariffs, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, US, Apr 2, 2025. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo

US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said on Monday he has postponed his planned trip to Israel to address its parliament on Jun 22 because of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

"Due to the complex situation currently unfolding in Iran and Israel, (Knesset) Speaker (Amir) Ohana and I have made the decision to postpone the special session of the Knesset. We look forward to rescheduling the address in the near future and send our prayers to the people of Israel and the Middle East," Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson, a Louisiana Republican and staunch supporter of Israel, had announced his plan for the trip on Jun 11 as Israel pressed on with its military campaign in Gaza launched in response to a deadly incursion into Israel led by Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Israel launched a surprise attack on Iran on Friday that wiped out the top echelon of Iran's military command and damaged its nuclear sites, and says the campaign will continue to escalate with the stated goal of eliminating Tehran's ability to develop a nuclear weapon.

Iran insists its nuclear program is civilian, not military.

The US State Department earlier on Monday raised its travel advisory for Israel to Level 4, the highest, and warned US citizens not to travel there due to "armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest."