US Defense Secretary Made Secret Visit to Israel, Met Netanyahu Amid Iran Tensions

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The clandestine visit, occurring just eight days before Israeli elections and amid reports of discussions between the US and Israel regarding a potential renewal of military action against Iran, was first reported by Axios. The meeting, which took place at Ovda base in southern Israel, was unusually long and also attended by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Advisor Shmuel Ben Ezra, and likely Emirati officials. Netanyahu traveled to the base by private plane, a departure from his usual helicopter travel.

Hegseth also met with American soldiers at Ovda base, which hosts US refueling and fighter jets. While Hegseth later posted on X about visiting troops within the US Central Command's area of responsibility, he did not publicly confirm his presence in Israel or his meeting with Netanyahu. Both the Pentagon and the Israeli Embassy in the US declined to comment on the visit.

The visit comes against a backdrop of recent reports detailing US and Israeli preparations for possible renewed action against Iran. Last week, Axios reported that Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump had discussed joint military operations against Iran before the upcoming Israeli and US midterm elections. Netanyahu reportedly expressed concern over Israeli intelligence indicating Iran's steps to revive its nuclear program, and the leaders discussed potential strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, though Trump has not committed to such an operation. A US official stated that Trump encouraged Netanyahu to prepare but made no commitment to an attack.

Reports also indicated that Hegseth and senior CENTCOM officials are strong proponents of renewed strikes on Iran, while most of Trump's advisors favor continued economic and political pressure. The White House has denied reports that Trump and Netanyahu discussed renewing the war, emphasizing that the US would not attack Iran before the US midterm elections. Earlier this month, the Pentagon reportedly ordered CENTCOM to complete preparations for potential large-scale military operations against Iran, without setting a timeline for an attack.

Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir discussed the possibility of renewed extensive fighting in Iran with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Kane, noting that such a move could lead to the postponement of Israeli elections due to a likely Iranian missile response. Meanwhile, President Trump officially endorsed Netanyahu for the upcoming Knesset elections, calling him a "great warrior prime minister" and linking Netanyahu's continued tenure to future dealings with Iran. Trump suggested that if Israel elected a different leader, the US might have to act against Iran alone. Conversely, US Vice President J.D. Vance refrained from endorsing Netanyahu, stating his focus is on American midterm elections.

In response to the heightened tensions, the IDF announced an unusual travel ban for all army units starting Thursday, aimed at increasing readiness for the upcoming elections. Chief of Staff Zamir emphasized the IDF's mission to ensure the elections proceed safely and on schedule, with the military on high alert across all fronts. The IDF also reinforced senior officer presence in command centers and bolstered forces in Judea and Samaria. The IDF clarified that there is no specific intelligence indicating an imminent Iranian attack but that the military is prepared for various scenarios. Prime Minister Netanyahu also released a video warning Israel's enemies that they would "suffer blows far harsher than they have suffered thus far."