US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel, amid discussions between Washington and Tel Aviv about potentially resuming major combat operations against Iran, Axios reported, citing two sources familiar with the meeting.
The meeting took place at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, where US refuelling aircraft and fighter jets are deployed, according to the report.
Hegseth published photos and messages on social media during his visit to US military personnel serving under the US Central Command, the command responsible for US military operations in the Middle East.
"As always, it has been an honor to visit our fighters at CENTCOM today. The best of our country, on a historic mission," he said.
The visit came eight days before Israel's October 27 parliamentary elections.
The Pentagon and Israeli Embassy declined to comment, while Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Election endorsement
The visit followed US President Donald Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu on Sunday ahead of the elections.
In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Trump declared his "Complete and Total Endorsement" of the Israeli leader's re-election bid.
Trump praised Netanyahu's leadership and partnership with Washington, particularly in confronting Iran.
He also warned that the US could be forced to take on the burden itself if Israeli voters chose another leader.
