Hegseth holds unannounced talks with Netanyahu in Israel on Iran threat
United States Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Israel on an unannounced visit and discussed the Iran war with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to simmer.
Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for the Israeli prime minister, confirmed that Netanyahu met Hegseth at the Uvda air force base in Israel’s southern Negev desert region.
What the two sides discussed
Netanyahu and Hegseth discussed “the threats in the region” and the US-Israel partnership in dealing both “offensively and defensively” with those threats, Spielman said in a brief phone call.
The defence secretary thanked Israel for hosting US forces, which Spielman said numbered in the thousands, and discussed President Donald Trump’s support for the prime minister.
“There’s a deep personal relationship here that was at the core of this discussion,” Spielman said.
The Pentagon has not publicly commented on Hegseth’s visit. Earlier, he posted that he had visited US service members in the Central Command area of responsibility, which covers the Middle East, northeast Africa and parts of Asia, but did not say where he had met the personnel.
Rising tensions with Iran
Hegseth’s visit comes as tensions flare between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, and as Yemen’s Houthis intensify their attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The Israeli prime minister also said he spoke with President Trump on Sunday about the importance of eliminating the Iranian government.
“We are committed to completing the elimination of the Iranian regime,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office. “I have discussed this with Trump many times, including the day before yesterday.”
Trump’s endorsement ahead of elections
Netanyahu basked in Trump’s endorsement on Monday ahead of close-fought elections, airing a phone call in which the US president predicted he would win, and suggested they may again attack Iran together.
“I think you’re going to have a tremendous victory, actually,” the US president could be heard saying on speakerphone.
“You’re the man I want by my side, Bibi,” Trump said, referring to Netanyahu by his nickname.
Netanyahu, while reminding the president that they were on an open line, hailed Trump for joining Israel in attacking Iran in February.
“Donald, we have a job to finish,” Netanyahu said. “We’ll finish it together. We’ll finish it, and no one else will do it.”
He did not elaborate, but again described Iran as “the greatest danger”. The visit also comes as Netanyahu marks his 77th birthday. US Vice President JD Vance, meanwhile, said he was staying out of the Israeli vote, adding that he endorses American candidates and is focused on the US midterm elections.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Pete Hegseth visit Israel?
The US defence secretary made an unannounced visit to Israel and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the Uvda air force base. The two discussed regional threats, chiefly Iran, and the US-Israel security partnership.
What did Netanyahu say about Iran?
Netanyahu said Israel is “committed to completing the elimination of the Iranian regime” and that he had discussed it with President Trump repeatedly. He described Iran as “the greatest danger” and hinted at further joint action with the US.
Has the US struck Iran before?
Yes. In February, the United States joined Israel in attacking Iran, a move Netanyahu publicly praised during Trump’s endorsement call this week.
