Hegseth Meets Netanyahu in Israel Ahead of Elections and Possible Restart to Iran War

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday, officials said. The talks took place at Uvda Air Force Base, where U.S. forces are stationed, and covered regional threats and the two countries’ security partnership. The visit came eight days before Israel’s parliamentary election, amid heightened tensions with Iran. President Donald Trump has said he is considering his next steps toward Tehran, but has said U.S. strikes would not resume before November’s midterm elections.