Pete Hegseth held secret talks with Netanyahu in Israel as Trump weighs restarting the Iran war after the midterms

Monday's unannounced talks were held at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, which has hosted US refuelling aircraft and fighter jets since both countries struck Iran in February. Hegseth also sat down with Israeli defence minister Israel Katz. The visit came a day after President Donald Trump praised Netanyahu as 'a Great Warrior Prime Minister'. Netanyahu faces centrist Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar Party at the October 27 election.

Trump has yet to decide between negotiating a deal with Iran or 'annihilate'-ing it.

Netanyahu has ruled out Israel joining any military action before polling day.

Hegseth's own post mentioned only troops 'on a historic mission', not Israel.