Hegseth meets Netanyahu during unannounced visit to Israel, Reuters reports
A person familiar with the matter told Reuters of the Monday meeting, first reported by Axios; Reuters later cited three Israeli officials as saying the two discussed Iran. The Pentagon declined to comment.
As of 7:25 a.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel on Monday, a person familiar with the matter said, Reuters reported. The meeting was first reported by Axios, according to Reuters.
In a later version of its report, Reuters cited three Israeli officials as saying Hegseth discussed Iran with Netanyahu during the visit. The officials did not provide further details, Reuters said.
The Pentagon declined to comment, and the Israeli prime minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, Reuters reported. Neither had confirmed the meeting as of 7:25 a.m. ET.
Hegseth said in a social media post that he had visited U.S. service members in the Central Command area of responsibility, which covers the Middle East, northeast Africa and parts of Asia, according to Reuters.
Sources
- Reuters, "Hegseth meets Netanyahu in unannounced visit to Israel, source says," Oct. 20, 2026, as carried by Devdiscourse, posted 1:54 a.m. ET (05:54 UTC)
- Reuters (reporting by Emily Rose, Maayan Lubell, Phil Stewart, Christian Martinez and Ismail Shakil), "Hegseth discusses Iran with Netanyahu in unannounced visit to Israel, officials say," Oct. 20, 2026, as carried by Yahoo News, updated 3:56 a.m. ET (07:56 UTC)
