A stop on the way to Iran? The hints behind Hegseth's lightning visit to Israel

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's lightning visit to Ovda Airbase with Prime Minister Netanyahu, amid consultations on Iran. Hegseth praised US forces as a 'historic mission' but did not mention Israel. It remains unclear whether operational decisions were made.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's lightning visit to Ovda Airbase alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raises questions about US and Israeli intentions toward Iran. The meeting lasted about two hours, after which Netanyahu missed a football match he was expected to attend. Hegseth confirmed on X that he met with US troops from CENTCOM, describing their activity as a 'historic mission,' but refrained from mentioning Israel or his meeting with Netanyahu. The Pentagon also provided no details. The visit took place about a week before elections in Israel, amid consultations on Iran's nuclear program. The article notes it is unclear whether operational decisions were made, but the meeting at Ovda Airbase underscores the importance of security coordination between the countries. Additionally, the possibility of Netanyahu attending a football match sparked controversy among Beitar Jerusalem fans.