Israeli warplanes numbering in the dozens headed Monday toward Iran as a pre-notified U.S. training flight to show long-range power and deter Tehran. Crews and refuelers flew over 800 miles through Syria and Iraq before turning near the western Iranian frontier on routes similar to past attacks, expecting detection.

American officials split on whether the move might invite Iranian fire as a pretext or was purely deterrent, noting miscalculation danger. Hegseth’s surprise Israel stop that day to meet Netanyahu at Ovda was unrelated per officials, and the pair also spoke by phone.

Netanyahu later directed agencies to seek Iran’s regime overthrow while Iranian officials said they would strike back offensively and invade if attacked again.