WASHINGTON (JTA) — Gen. Martin Dempsey, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, will visit Israel and Jordan in mid-August.

A Pentagon spokesman, asked to confirm an Israeli report that Dempsey was in Israel Sunday to discuss Syria and Iran strategy with Israeli leaders, said that Dempsey was in Washington.

The spokesman said Dempsey would be visiting Israel and Jordan in mid-August, however.