Israel News
US Defense Secretary Makes Secret Visit to Israel, Meets Netanyahu
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Ovda air base, amid the possibility of renewed fighting with Iran. Officials from the United Arab Emirates also attended the meeting. The Pentagon declined to comment on the report.
Hegseth (Photo: US Navy)A secret visit amid the tensions with Iran: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Israel yesterday (Monday) and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Ovda air force base in the south of the country. Axios reported overnight, citing two sources familiar with the details. The visit took place just eight days before the elections in Israel, against the backdrop of discussions between Jerusalem and Washington about the possibility of renewing the broad military campaign against Iran.
According to Israeli sources, the meeting was held at the base where American fighter jets and refueling aircraft are stationed. Besides Netanyahu and Hegseth, other figures took part in the discussion, including representatives from the United Arab Emirates. During his time there, the secretary also met with American soldiers serving at the base.
After the visit was revealed, Hegseth posted photos on X alongside soldiers from US Central Command, and wrote: “As always, it was an honor to visit our warfighters today. The finest sons of our country, on a historic mission. Go in peace and succeed.”
The Pentagon refrained from confirming the details of the report. The Prime Minister’s Office and the Israeli embassy in the US also did not respond to the publication.
The visit took place a day after US President Donald Trump expressed support for Netanyahu ahead of the elections. By contrast, Vice President J.D. Vance made clear in an interview with the 2WAY website: “I support American candidates, and my focus is on the midterm elections. I’m not opposed to Netanyahu, but I also don’t support him; I don’t interfere in Israel’s elections.”
Earlier this week, Netanyahu addressed the possibility of independent Israeli action against Tehran, declaring during the presentation of the defense doctrine: “Israel is prepared for a preemptive strike against Iran, even without the US. Our objectives do not depend on American agreement, and as much as is required, we will act independently.”
