JERUSALEM: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth arrived in Israel on an unannounced visit, and discussed the Iran war with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as tensions continue to simmer between the US and Iran.

Doron Spielman, a spokesperson for the Israeli PM, confirmed that Netanyahu had met Hegseth at the Uvda air force base in Israel’s southern Negev desert region.

Mr Netanyahu and Mr Hegseth discussed “the threats in the region” and the US-Israel partnership in dealing both “offensively and defensively” with those threats, he said in a brief phone call.

The defence secretary thanked Israel for hosting US forces, which Spielman said numbered in the thousands, and discussed President Donald Trump’s support for the prime minister.

Israeli PM celebrates Trump’s endorsement ahead of next week’s election

“There’s a deep personal relationship here that was at the core of this discussion,” Spielman said.

The Pentagon has not publicly commented on Mr Hegseth’s visit.

Earlier, he posted that he had visited US service members in the Central Command area of responsibility, which covers the Middle East, northeast Africa and parts of Asia, but did not specify where he had met the personnel.

Hegseth’s visit comes as tensions flare between the US and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, and Yemen’s Houthis intensify their attacks on Saudi Arabia.

The Israeli prime minister also said he spoke with President Trump on Sunday about the importance of eliminating the Iranian government.

“We are committed to completing the elimination of the Iranian regime,” Mr Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office. “I have discussed this with Trump many times, including the day before yesterday.”

Netanyahu basks in Trump endorsement

Netanyahu basked in Trump’s endorsement on Monday ahead of close-fought elections, airing a phone call in which the US president predicted he would win, and suggested they may again attack Iran together.

“I think you’re going to have a tremendous victory, actually,” the US president can be heard saying on speakerphone.

“You’re the man I want by my side, Bibi,” Donald Trump said, referring to Mr Netanyahu by his nickname.

Netanyahu, while reminding the famously loose-lipped president that they were on an open line, hailed Trump for joining Israel in attacking Iran in February.

“Donald, we have a job to finish,” Netanyahu beamed. “We’ll finish it together. We’ll finish it, and no one else will do it.”

Netanyahu did not elaborate, but again described Iran as “the greatest danger”.

Trump, 80, and Netanyahu, who turns 77 on Wednesday, have forged a close partnership at a time when both are vastly unpopular in public opinion in most democratic nations.

The pair have also managed to avoid prosecution while in power, with Mr Netanyahu facing charges of corruption that could land him in prison.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2026