WASHINGTON

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Pentagon for talks on Wednesday.

🇺🇸 | 🇮🇱 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives at the Pentagon to meet US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth https://t.co/Kudn5oa3Ue ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/PGvtpw8zDQ

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Hegseth hosted an enhanced honor cordon for Netanyahu, who is on his third visit to the US since President Donald Trump's return to the White House in January.

Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander, was also present at the closed-door meeting.

Hegseth hailed Kurilla, as well as the pilots who took part in recent US strikes on three key Iranian nuclear facilities.

"Those B2 pilots sent a message to the world," Hegseth said.

"I think the entire world took note. I think Iran took note. I think everybody in the Middle East took note of American resolve and of the strength of our alliance,” Netanyahu responded. “The roar of two lions was heard around the world."

Netanyahu noted that the Israeli operation against Iran and US strikes against the nuclear facilities will have "historic consequences for peace."

"I will say that President Trump and I always talk about peace through strength. First comes strength, then comes the peace, and we hope we'll realize the fruits of strength very soon, and peace," he added.

Neither Hegseth nor Netanyahu answered shouted questions from reporters.

Trump met with Netanyahu for dinner Monday at the White House, where Hegseth also attended.

Trump also met on Tuesday with Netanyahu for a second time as efforts continued to reach a ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip.

Netanyahu met separately with numerous administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance and House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson.

The Israeli premier has faced a wave of protests since arriving in Washington earlier this week.

His army has killed more than 57,500 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in Gaza since October 2023. The relentless bombardment has destroyed the enclave and led to food shortages and a spread of disease.

Last November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.