US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Makes Secret Visit to Israel

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made a clandestine visit to Israel on Monday, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz at Ovda base. The visit, confirmed by an Israeli official to Haaretz, occurred amid discussions between the two countries regarding the potential resumption of hostilities against Iran.

The Pentagon did not pre-announce the visit, and multiple sources, including an official American one speaking to CNN, indicated it was unplanned. Hegseth's office declined to comment, and Netanyahu's office did not respond.

Following reports of the visit by Axios, Hegseth posted photos on X (formerly Twitter) with U.S. Central Command soldiers, stating it was an honor to visit American troops on a historic mission, without mentioning his meeting with Netanyahu.

When questioned about the meeting by Channel 14, Netanyahu stated he would not discuss meetings or conversations, but reiterated his warning to Iran and Hezbollah: "Iran will not have nuclear weapons. I warn Iran and Hezbollah, do not dare to attack us."

In a separate video, Netanyahu referenced a statement by former President Donald Trump expressing support for him in elections and linking it to potential U.S. action against Iran. Trump had previously stated that if Iran did not change its ways, the U.S. would "finish the job," adding that if Israel had a different leader, the U.S. would have had to act alone.

Recent reports indicate the U.S. military has developed plans, at Trump's request, for strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and energy infrastructure, including the use of the GBU-43 bomb. These plans are reportedly being considered in light of Israeli intelligence assessments that Iran has moved centrifuges into deep underground tunnels. However, some U.S. military sources have expressed doubts about the effectiveness of such a strike in achieving Trump's objectives. The New York Times previously reported that Trump had rejected five proposed military actions against Iran or the Houthis in recent months.