Netanyahu Held Secret Meeting With US Defense Secretary Amid Iran Tensions

Eight days before elections in Israel and the United States, a rare and secret security meeting took place between U.S. Secretary of Defense the US Secretary of Defense and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Ovda Air Force base. The unannounced visit, revealed by Axios, occurred amid reports of potential joint preparations for an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, alongside heightened alert levels in the IDF and security preparations for the Israeli elections.

Netanyahu canceled a planned attendance at a soccer match, traveled to Ben Gurion Airport, and then flew by private jet to the southern base, deviating from his usual helicopter travel. The extended meeting included Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz, National Security Advisor Shmuel Ben Ezra, and potentially representatives from the United Arab Emirates. During his visit, the US Secretary of Defense reviewed U.S. forces and aircraft stationed in the south and met with American soldiers.

The Pentagon, the Israeli embassy, and the Prime Minister's office provided no public details about the meeting. The US Secretary of Defense himself posted on X about visiting forces in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area but did not mention his stop in Israel or his meeting with Netanyahu.

Reports suggest Netanyahu presented U.S. President Donald Trump with intelligence indicating Iran's efforts to revive its nuclear program, pushing for a joint military operation before the Israeli elections on October 27 and U.S. midterm elections. Trump reportedly ordered CENTCOM to complete operational plans and encouraged Israel to prepare for action, though a final approval for an attack has not been given.

Internal disagreements exist within the U.S. administration regarding the approach to Tehran, with the US Secretary of Defense and CENTCOM leadership reportedly favoring a more assertive stance, while other White House advisors prefer diplomatic pressure and sanctions. The White House denied reports of an immediate attack, emphasizing the U.S. does not intend to start a war before the midterm elections.

Concurrently, a call between IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kane discussed the possibility of a broad campaign opening within three weeks. Zamir warned that an Iranian missile response could lead to the postponement of the Israeli elections. The IDF is preparing for various security scenarios, including a multi-theater assessment that led to a travel ban for all military units starting Thursday, reinforced command centers, and troop reinforcements in Judea and Samaria to address security tensions and rising nationalist crime. The IDF stressed there is no concrete threat of an immediate attack, and the preparations aim to ensure maximum readiness and the ability to hold elections as scheduled.