# Hegseth visits Netanyahu as Israel faces elections

> The U.S. Defense Secretary made an unannounced trip to Israel a week before elections, as Trump weighs military action against Iran.
- Title: Hegseth visits Netanyahu as Israel faces elections · Cbsnews
- Summary: The U.S. Defense Secretary made an unannounced trip to Israel a week before elections, as Trump weighs military action against Iran. Defense Secretary Pete…
- Keywords: pete hegseth, benjamin netanyahu, israel, iran, defense secretary, u.s. military, israeli elections, trump administration, news, Hegseth, visits, Netanyahu
- Source: Cbsnews — https://cbsnews.com/news/hegseth-visits-israel-elections-iran-war-netanyahu
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pete hegseth, benjamin netanyahu, israel, iran, defense secretary, u.s. military, israeli elections, trump administration, news
## Hegseth makes unannounced Israel visit
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Israel on Monday and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to a senior U.S. military official. The visit was unannounced.
## Timing raises questions about Iran
The visit came just over a week before Netanyahu's party faces elections and after President Trump floated resuming military operations against Iran following next month's U.S. midterm elections.
## Netanyahu says no Iran strikes before vote
Netanyahu told Israeli media last week he is not planning to launch renewed strikes against Iran before the October twenty-seventh elections, saying it is not convenient for us.

> it is not convenient for us
## Trump backs Netanyahu amid uncertainty
President Trump endorsed Netanyahu on Sunday, calling him a Great Warrior Prime Minister and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran.

> a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran
## Key takeaway

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Israel unannounced to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, days before Netanyahu's party faces elections and as President Trump considers resuming military operations against Iran.