Pete Hegseth, the US defense chief, traveled to Israel on Monday for a surprise meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to Reuters, the two leaders convened at Uvda air base in the southern Negev desert to address regional security challenges. Doron Spielman, Netanyahu’s spokesperson, confirmed the encounter and noted that Hegseth expressed gratitude for Israel hosting thousands of American troops. The conversation also centered on President Donald Trump’s backing for Netanyahu, with Spielman highlighting a strong personal bond between the leaders. While the Pentagon remained quiet on the trip, Hegseth had earlier shared on X that he visited US troops in the Central Command region, which spans the Middle East, northeast Africa, and parts of Asia.
This diplomatic move occurred against a backdrop of rising friction between Washington and Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz. Al-Monitor reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Tuesday that two unidentified tankers ignited after hitting naval mines in the strait's southern sector. The IRGC claimed its air defenses also shot down a US MQ-9 Reaper drone during overnight surveillance. The statement, distributed via Iranian state media, warned that persistent US maneuvers would force oil firms to face steeper costs, though it left the specific timing and ship identities unclear.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi faction continued pressuring Saudi Arabia. Naharnet detailed how Saudi forces intercepted a ballistic missile heading toward Riyadh on Tuesday. Turki Al-Malki, a spokesman for the Riyadh-led coalition, announced the success on X after local authorities issued alerts. To reinforce defenses, the UK government declared it would send RAF Typhoon jets to aid in shielding Saudi urban centers and key infrastructure from aerial threats. These events follow joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, which ignited the broader regional conflict. Netanyahu indicated he aims to avoid striking Iran before Israel’s October 27 parliamentary vote, while Trump suggested the US will wait until after its November midterms to engage Tehran.