US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Made Secret Visit to Israel for Talks with Netanyahu

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel on October 19, meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The visit, reported by Axios citing two informed sources, occurred just eight days before Israeli Knesset elections and amid discussions about potential renewed large-scale military action against Iran. According to Axios' sources, the meeting took place at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, which hosts U.S. refueling aircraft and fighter jets. Hegseth also met with U.S. military personnel stationed there.

Details of the meeting between Hegseth and Netanyahu have not been released, including whether a joint strike on Iran was discussed. Hegseth briefly mentioned his Middle East trip on social media platform X, stating he met U.S. troops within the U.S. Central Command's (CENTCOM) area of responsibility. However, he did not publicly confirm his presence in Israel or the meeting with Netanyahu. Both the Pentagon and the Israeli Embassy in the U.S. declined to comment on the visit, as did the Prime Minister's Office.

Recent media reports have focused on the possibility of renewed military action against Iran. Last week, Axios reported that Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump had spoken multiple times about a potential joint military operation before the upcoming Israeli and U.S. elections. The report indicated Netanyahu shared Israeli intelligence concerns about Iran's nuclear program, and Trump urged Netanyahu to prepare, though without committing to a strike.

Axios also noted that Hegseth and senior CENTCOM officers are strong proponents of striking Iran, contrasting with most of Trump's advisors who favor continued economic and political pressure. The report suggested Trump was initially inclined to support an Israeli proposal but later became more hesitant. The White House denied that Trump and Netanyahu discussed renewed military action, asserting the U.S. would not strike Iran before the midterm elections.