Hegseth makes unannounced Israel visit amid discussions of possible Iran strikes
publishers 98articles 188first reported 27 Sep, 21:21 UTCdeveloping since 28 Sep · 32 editions
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel and met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ovda Air Base on Monday, eight days before Israel’s October 27 election, Ynet reported, citing an Axios report based on two people familiar with the matter.
No details of the meeting were released, and it was unclear whether Hegseth and Netanyahu discussed possible renewed strikes on Iran. The Pentagon and Israel’s embassy in Washington declined to comment, while Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond. Hegseth later said on X that he had met U.S. troops in the region covered by U.S. Central Command, but did not publicly confirm visiting Israel or meeting Netanyahu.
The visit came amid reports that Netanyahu is pressing for major new attacks on Iran. According to the Axios account cited by Ynet, Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump recently discussed a potential joint operation against Iranian nuclear and military sites after Israeli intelligence indicated Tehran was rebuilding its nuclear program. Trump reportedly encouraged Israel to prepare but had not committed to an attack, while most of his advisers favored continued diplomatic and economic pressure.
Netanyahu has separately said Israel is committed to eliminating what he called Iran’s “terrorist regime.” The reported discussions are taking place during an election campaign focused heavily on security and Netanyahu’s leadership following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 522 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- Source articles
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- Given to the writer
- 8, 6 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 522 h after the record first saw the story
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- kept as written
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