Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth discussed regional threats at an unannounced Oct. 19 meeting, Netanyahu’s spokesperson said, days before Israel’s parliamentary election.
Hegseth confirmed his meeting with Netanyahu on Oct. 20 after visiting U.S. troops in Israel. He declined to give reporters details of their private exchange.
Netanyahu’s spokesperson, Doron Spielman, said the meeting was held at Uvda air force base in southern Israel. Spielman said the discussion covered regional threats and cooperation between the two countries on offensive and defensive matters. Hegseth also expressed appreciation for Israel’s hosting of U.S. forces, Spielman said.
Three Israeli officials told Reuters that Iran came up in the talks. Reuters reported that forces from both countries carried out strikes against Iran together in late February.
President Donald Trump endorsed Netanyahu’s reelection bid in an Oct. 18 social media post, a day before the meeting. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists Oct. 27 as the date of the next Knesset election.
