Meeting at Pentagon, US and British defense chiefs discuss Mideast threats

WASHINGTON — US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with his British counterpart Grant Shapps at the Pentagon Wednesday for talks on security threats in the Middle East, the Pentagon says.

They discussed issues including “the escalating attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups on US troops in the Middle East” and “the illegal Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea,” as well as humanitarian assistance for Gaza and support for Ukraine, Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder says in a statement.

“Secretary Austin thanked Secretary Shapps for the United Kingdom’s steadfast support and leadership in coalition efforts to stave off further Houthi aggression, while defending naval and international commercial vessels exercising navigational rights and freedoms,” Ryder says, referring to attacks on shipping by the Iran-backed Yemeni rebels.

Shapps also met with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. The White House says the two discussed the prevention of conflict escalation in the Middle East and defending against Houthi attacks.

The pair also reaffirmed support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, the readout adds.