Pete Hegseth holds secret talks with Netanyahu in Israel days after Trump endorsed him in next week's election

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at an air force base in Israel's southern desert on Monday. The Pentagon declined to comment, and neither side has said what the two men discussed. Israelis vote on October 27, and polls show Netanyahu's coalition is projected to lose its majority. President Donald Trump has said he could restart the Iran war after the November midterms.

Trump has said he will choose between a deal with Iran or to 'annihilate' it.

Trump has said he would not be 'inclined' to continue the Iran war if Netanyahu lost.

Hegseth posted that he had addressed US troops 'on a historic mission' but never mentioned Israel.