Live Update 
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Gallant and Austin spoke shortly after Iranian attack, says Pentagon
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, left, greets Defense Minister Yoav Gallant as he arrives during an honor cordon at the Pentagon on June 25, 2024 in Arlington, Virginia. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images via AFP)
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant shortly after Iran’s missile attack on Israel, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder says during a briefing.
Austin reaffirmed the US’ ironclad commitment to Israel’s defense and stressed that the US remains well-postured in the Mideast to defend American assets and to defend Israel.
Ryder also tells reporters that Iran launched about twice as many ballistic missiles today as it did in its previous direct attack on Israel in April.
The attack was “about twice as large in terms of the number of ballistic missiles that they launched,” he says.
