Pentagon chief pushes support for Israel, Mideast stability in calls with counterparts
Austin speaks to Israeli, Bahraini, Qatari, German defense ministers; says US not looking for conflict with Tehran but will defend Israel and US forces in region
WASHINGTON — US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held calls on Monday with counterparts in the Middle East and Europe, expressing support for Israel after attacks from Iran but also stressing regional stability to prevent conflict from spreading, the Pentagon said.
Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel on Saturday after an allegedly Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria. Nearly all of the drones and missiles were downed before reaching Israeli territory.
The US was not informed by Iran in advance about its attack on Israel and Washington did not seek a conflict with Tehran, the Pentagon said.
Israel faced pressure from allies to show restraint and avoid an escalation of regional conflict as it considered how to respond to Iran’s barrage. Israel’s military chief of staff said the country would respond.
Austin held separate calls on Monday with Bahrain’s crown prince and prime minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa as well as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah. In those calls, he condemned Iran’s attacks and said Washington did not seek an escalation of the conflict, according to the Pentagon.
Austin told his counterparts that “while the United States does not seek escalation, we will continue to defend Israel and US personnel,” the Pentagon said. In the call with Gallant, according to the Pentagon, he expressed support for Israel’s defense and “reaffirmed the strategic goal of regional stability.”
“Whether or not Israel decides to retaliate against Iran is something for Israel to decide,” a Pentagon spokesperson told reporters earlier on Monday.
The Axios news site reported that Gallant had told Austin that Israel has “no choice but to respond” to Iran’s attack, given the use of ballistic missiles.
According to sources quoted in the report, Gallant also told Austin that “Israel won’t accept an equation in which Iran responds with a direct attack every time Israel strikes targets in Syria.”
Iran launched an unprecedented direct assault on Israel late on Saturday, firing more than 300 attack drones and missiles. According to the Israel Defense Forces, Iran’s attack comprised 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and 120 ballistic missiles — 99% of which were intercepted by air defenses.
Most of the projectiles were intercepted before they reached Israel, with the help of the United States, Jordan, and other allies, and the sole injury was a Bedouin girl, who was struck and seriously wounded by falling shrapnel in the Negev desert. The IAF’s southern Nevatim base suffered minor damage to infrastructure, the IDF said, but continued to function during the attack.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi warned late Monday that Iran’s missile and drone attack on the country “will be met with a response.”
The comments were made as he met soldiers at the targeted Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel.
“Iran wanted to harm the strategic capabilities of the State of Israel — that is something that had not happened before,” he said.
“We are looking ahead, we are considering our steps, and this launch of so many missiles, cruise missiles, and UAVs into the territory of the State of Israel will be met with a response,” he declared.
