Hegseth Holds Unannounced Talks With Netanyahu as U.S. Weighs Renewed Iran Offensive

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to an Axios report by Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, citing two sources familiar with the meeting.

The visit came just eight days before Israel’s October 27 general election and amid heightened regional tensions, as Washington and Jerusalem discuss the possibility of resuming large-scale military operations against Iran.

According to Israel’s Channel 13, officials from the United Arab Emirates also attended the meeting, suggesting that the discussions may have involved broader regional security concerns. The identities of the reported Emirati participants and the precise nature of their involvement were not immediately clear.

Neither the Pentagon nor the Israeli Embassy in Washington immediately commented on the reported visit. Reuters said it could not independently confirm the meeting.

Iran at the Center of Strategic Discussions

The reported talks come as Israel and the United States consider their options amid continuing tensions with Iran.

The possibility of renewed large-scale military operations against Tehran adds strategic significance to Hegseth’s visit, particularly given the close military cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem.

The reported participation of Emirati officials, if confirmed, could point to wider regional consultations over Iran. However, no public details have established whether the meeting produced any specific military decisions or commitments.

The timing also places the visit in the middle of an exceptionally sensitive period for Netanyahu, whose government is seeking another mandate from Israeli voters.

Trump Endorses Netanyahu, Vance Declines to Follow

Hegseth’s visit followed President Donald Trump’s public endorsement of Netanyahu’s re-election bid on Sunday.

Trump described Netanyahu as a strong wartime leader and offered him what he called his “Complete and Total Endorsement,” explicitly linking his support to their shared effort to confront Iran.

Vice President JD Vance, however, declined to endorse the Israeli prime minister.

“I endorse American candidates, and that’s where I’m focused on is the midterms,” Vance said in an interview with the digital media outlet 2WAY.

He added that he was neither endorsing nor opposing Netanyahu and did not intend to get involved in Israel’s election.

The contrast highlights different approaches within the administration to the Israeli electoral contest. Trump has publicly aligned himself with Netanyahu, while Vance has chosen to remain formally neutral.

There is no evidence, however, that Vance’s decision reflects a broader policy disagreement with Trump over the U.S.-Israeli security relationship.

Election Pressure and Regional Uncertainty

Israel’s October 27 election will be the country’s first national vote since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.

Netanyahu faces scrutiny over his government’s security record and the consequences of the ensuing regional conflict. Opinion polls have suggested that his governing coalition could struggle to secure the 61 seats required for a parliamentary majority.

Trump’s endorsement could help Netanyahu among voters who prioritize the U.S. alliance, although its electoral impact remains uncertain.

Hegseth’s reported meeting adds another layer to the diplomatic and security developments unfolding in the final days of the campaign.