US Defense Secretary Visited Israel, Met Netanyahu Ahead of Elections

U.S. Secretary of Defense the U.S. Secretary of Defense visited Israel on Monday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The Pentagon did not announce the U.S. Secretary of Defense's visit, which occurred eight days before Israeli elections and amid discussions between the U.S. and Israel regarding the possibility of renewing war against Iran. The U.S. Secretary of Defense's office declined to comment. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's office confirmed the report to Reuters, stating that the two discussed "regional threats and the partnership between Israel and the U.S. in confronting them."

This visit comes after reports that Netanyahu had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump about renewing military action against Iran. American officials reportedly felt Netanyahu was interested in resuming attacks on Iran before the elections, citing Iran's concerning new nuclear steps as a reason. "Bibi spoke with the President about it several times, and the President told him, 'Well, you know what Bibi, go ahead and prepare.' But he didn't really give him any commitment. 'Go ahead and prepare' could be now, could be later, and could be never," an American official said.

According to an American official, the most significant supporters within the U.S. administration for renewing extensive combat operations against Iran are Secretary of Defense the U.S. Secretary of Defense and the U.S. Army's CENTCOM. However, most of Trump's advisors currently favor continued sanctions and economic pressure, arguing that this economic strangulation is increasingly effective.

Approximately two weeks prior, it was first reported that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir was briefed by senior American officials on the U.S. military's preparations for the possibility of renewed broad warfare against Iran. According to sources, Zamir stated during the conversation that renewing the war during this period could lead to the postponement of elections in Israel, given the assessment that Iran would respond by launching missiles at Israel. The IDF spokesperson declined to comment on the conversations between the Chief of Staff and his American counterparts.