The visit follows a Pentagon order for CENTCOM to prepare for possible new strikes on Iran and comes as the US struck Iran's Konarak Naval Base. The IDF has instituted a military-wide leave freeze starting Thursday and increased command center staffing to wartime strength at its highest state of alertness. Both the US embassy and the Pentagon declined to comment on the meeting.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Hegseth Meets Netanyahu at Ovda Air Base as IDF Readies for War
War1 day ago
American fighter aircraft and refueling planes provided the setting for an unannounced military coordination session in Israel on Monday. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ovda Air Base to discuss resuming combat operations against Iran, arriving via two Boeing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft that flew from Andrews Air Force Base through Ramstein. The encounter occurred just eight days before Israel's national elections.
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