US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel, where he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss rising tensions with Iran. They talked about regional threats and the partnership between the US and Israel in addressing these challenges. Hegseth expressed gratitude to Israel for hosting thousands of US troops and noted President Donald Trump’s support for Netanyahu. Trump recently endorsed Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s parliamentary election, the first since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
While the Pentagon has not commented on Hegseth’s visit, he mentioned on social media that he had met with US service members in the Central Command area, which includes parts of the Middle East. The visit coincided with increased tensions involving Iran, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz and attacks from Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis. Earlier in the year, US and Israeli forces conducted joint strikes against Iran, amid warnings from both leaders about not escalating conflict before upcoming elections.
With information from Reuters
