Pete Hegseth held secret talks with Netanyahu at an Israeli air base while Trump weighs fresh strikes on Iran

The unannounced meeting took place on Monday at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, home to US refuelling planes and fighter jets since February's joint strikes on Iran. Hegseth also sat down with Israeli defence minister Israel Katz. It came a day after President Donald Trump hailed Netanyahu as 'a Great Warrior Prime Minister'. The Pentagon has refused to comment.

Netanyahu is seeking a seventh term against Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar Party on October 27.

Trump says he could cut a deal or 'annihilate' Iran after November's midterms.

Hegseth's own post praised troops on 'a historic mission' but never mentioned Israel.

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