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“We thought that the one who needs to lead the campaign against Iran is the U.S.,” Yaalon was quoted by the daily Haaretz as saying during a lecture at Tel Aviv University on Monday.

He also disparaged American influence and power, noting the crisis over Ukraine and Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

Yaalon has made controversial comments about Washington in the past. In January, he was quoted as saying that Kerry was “obsessive” and “messianic” over his Mideast peace efforts.

State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said Yaalon’s remarks on Tuesday were “not constructive” and “inconsistent” with the close relationship between the U.S. and Israel.

Psaki repeated Obama and Kerry’s oft-stated position that the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security is “unshakable,” outlined several main elements of the longstanding U.S.-Israeli defence relationship. And she noted that Netanyahu himself has spoken of an “unprecedented level” of security co-operation between the countries.

“The comments of the defence minister are completely inconsistent with that,” Psaki told reporters. “So, it is certainly confusing to us why Defence Minister Yaalon would continue his pattern of making comments that don’t accurately represent the scope of our close partnership on a range of security issues and on the enduring partnership between the United States and Israel.”

She would not say if Kerry had demanded an apology of Yaalon, declined to characterize Netanyahu’s response to Kerry’s protests and referred questions about that to the Israeli government.

In Israel, an official in Yaalon’s office said Netanyahu and Yaalon had “discussed the recent reports” and added that the minister “will clarify what was said in his talks with the Americans.” The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the diplomatic matter with the media by name.

The Associated Press