Hegseth and Netanyahu hold secret talks – Axios

Pete Hegseth reportedly met with the Israeli PM behind closed doors amid claims that Washington and Tel Aviv are mulling new strikes on Iran US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has made an unannounced visit to Israel for talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu just days before the country’s parliamentary elections, according to Axios.The reported meeting comes as Washington and Israel discuss potentially resuming major military operations against Iran, while indirect negotiations continue over the war they launched in February. Israel, a major recipient of American military funding and weapons, has justified its offensives on security grounds, even as the conflict has spread across the region, disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, and driven up global energy prices.Hegseth met Netanyahu on Monday at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel, where US fighter jets and refueling aircraft are stationed, Axios reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the visit. The Pentagon chief also met American troops deployed at the facility. The talks were held behind closed doors, with neither side publicly disclosing what was discussed, the outlet said. The Pentagon declined to comment o...