US Defense Secretary met Netanyahu in unannounced 'Israel' visit, Axios reports

• The visit comes eight days before 'Israel's' Oct. 27 election, as Washington and Tel Aviv weigh the possibility of resuming major military operations against Iran.
• The Pentagon, the 'Israeli' Embassy and Netanyahu's office did not immediately comment on the reported meeting.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an unannounced visit to 'Israel' on Monday, two sources familiar with the matter told Axios, as the United States and 'Israel' weigh the possibility of renewing large-scale military operations against Iran.

The visit, reported by Axios on Monday, comes at a politically sensitive moment, just eight days before 'Israel's' Oct. 27 parliamentary election, and amid mounting uncertainty over whether Washington will authorize a return to major combat operations against Tehran.

The Pentagon and the 'Israeli' Embassy declined to comment, while Netanyahu's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The meeting follows days of reported discussions between US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu over the prospect of launching a renewed military campaign against Iran, underscoring the extent to which the conflict remains central to the two governments' security calculations.

Axios reported last week that the Pentagon had instructed US Central Command to complete preparations for a possible resumption of major combat operations in Iran. The preparations reportedly included options for strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure, military installations and nuclear-related targets, although Trump had not made a final decision on whether to proceed. 

A separate Axios report published on Oct. 13 said Netanyahu and Trump had discussed a potential joint operation targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities. According to sources cited in that report, Netanyahu raised concerns about what 'Israel' believes are Iranian efforts to rebuild elements of its nuclear programme. The White House disputed aspects of the reporting about the discussions and said Trump would not attack Iran before the US midterm elections. 

The prospect of renewed hostilities carries significant political risks for both governments. Iranian retaliation could draw 'Israel' back into a broader confrontation, potentially involving missile attacks and further regional escalation, while a new US military campaign would place additional pressure on an administration already navigating domestic political considerations.

In 'Israel', the timing is particularly consequential for Netanyahu, whose handling of security and the wars that have engulfed the region is expected to figure prominently in the election campaign. The Oct. 27 vote will be the first national election since Oct. 7, 2023.

Netanyahu said last week that he did not favour a pre-emptive strike against Iran before the election, while warning that 'Israel' would respond forcefully if attacked. The reported Hegseth meeting, however, comes as military preparations and high-level consultations over the possibility of renewed strikes continue.

It remains unclear whether Hegseth's visit produced any decisions on military action, and neither government has publicly confirmed the meeting's agenda.

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