U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth publicly addressed his recent travel to Israel on Tuesday, confirming that the primary purpose of his trip was to visit American military personnel stationed in the region. During the same trip, Hegseth met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

When questioned by reporters regarding the substance of his meeting with the Prime Minister, Hegseth declined to provide specific details. He characterized the interaction as a private conversation, stating, "Of course, the nature of our conversation is not something I would talk about." However, he did offer a brief comment on the broader diplomatic relationship, noting that Israel has been a "good partner" to the United States and expressing appreciation for that cooperation.

The confirmation follows reports regarding the Secretary's movements in the Middle East. While Hegseth emphasized the importance of his visit to U.S. troops, he did not provide further information on the duration of his stay or whether he held meetings with other regional officials during his time in the country.