US Defense Secretary Met Secretly With Netanyahu Amid Iran Tensions

U.S. Defense Secretary arrived in Israel yesterday and held a secret meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Ovda Air Force Base in southern Israel, according to Axios, citing two sources familiar with the matter. The visit, which was not pre-announced by the Pentagon, occurred just eight days before Israeli elections and amid rising tensions with Iran. The base where the meeting took place hosts refueling and fighter jets, the report stated. Central Command forces. The Pentagon and the Israeli Embassy in the U.S. declined to comment on the report, and the Prime Minister's office did not immediately respond. The secret meeting took place against the backdrop of discussions between Jerusalem and Washington regarding the possibility of resuming extensive attacks on Iran. Last week, it was reported that Netanyahu spoke with President Donald Trump about the possibility of launching another military operation, but the U.S. president did not give a commitment. Yesterday, during a visit to the Air Force base, Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Israel's enemies: "Do not test us, you will suffer blows harder than you have ever suffered before."