Lloyd Austin

April 13, 2021, 1:59 pm

Daily Briefing Apr. 13 – Return to Sinai: Bureaucratic blunders and beach bliss

Tune in Sunday through Thursday to hear ToI editors and reporters quickly catch you up on what’s important today

By TOI staff

Former Israeli national security adviser Yaakov Amidror. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

April 12, 2021, 10:34 pm

Ex-national security adviser warns: ‘Iran has ability to harm us significantly’

Amid tensions, Yaakov Amidror says Tehran’s willingness to use its military capabilities against Israel ‘depends on what level they want to produce this encounter’

By TOI staff

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a press conference at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem on April 12, 2021. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

April 12, 2021, 5:53 pm

Netanyahu to visiting US defense secretary: We won’t let Iran obtain nukes

Following attack on Iran’s Natanz facility, which has been blamed on Israel, PM says US-Israeli cooperation is ‘crucial’ to combat threats facing both countries

By TOI staff

Defense Minister Benny Gantz stands in front of an F-35 fighter jet at the Nevatim air base on April 12, 2021. (Judah Ari Gross/Times of Israel)

April 12, 2021, 5:04 pm

Amid leaks, Gantz orders probe into ‘chatter’ on alleged Israeli strikes on Iran

Defense minister requests attorney general look into intelligence officials quoted by Israeli, foreign press on strike at Iran’s Natanz nuclear site

By Judah Ari Gross

Defense Minister Benny Gantz, left, fist-bumps US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Nevatim Air Base in southern Israel on April 12, 2021. (Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry)

April 12, 2021, 5:04 pm

Gantz: A future Iran nuclear deal can’t have ‘expiration dates’

Defense minister says he told his visiting American counterpart that a new agreement with Tehran must be ‘more robust’ than the 2015 accord

By Judah Ari Gross

In this June 6, 2018 frame grab from Islamic Republic Iran Broadcasting, IRIB, state-run TV, three versions of domestically-built centrifuges are shown in a live TV program from Natanz, an Iranian uranium enrichment plant, in Iran. (IRIB via AP)

April 12, 2021, 3:18 am

Natanz incident said to cause huge damage, set back Iran’s program by 9 months

Israeli and US intelligence officials reportedly confirm Mossad involvement in apparent cyberattack on uranium enrichment facility, which Tehran calls an act of ‘nuclear terrorism’

By Judah Ari Gross and TOI staff

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the organization, speaks with media while visiting the Natanz enrichment facility, in central Iran, November 4, 2019. (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP, File)

April 11, 2021, 8:34 pm

Intel officials say Mossad behind Natanz power cut; Iran calls it ‘terrorism’

Alleged Israeli cyberattack said to strike serious blow to Iranian atomic program; security cabinet to meet next week to discuss recent exchanges with Tehran

By Judah Ari Gross

This satellite photo from Planet Labs Inc. shows Iran's Natanz nuclear facility on April 7, 2021 (Planet Labs Inc. via AP)

April 11, 2021, 4:34 pm

Iranian official: Problem at nuke site ‘strongly suspected to be sabotage’

Israeli outlets say blackout at Iran’s Natanz plant a likely Israeli cyberattack; Western intelligence sources estimate it shut down entire sections of the facility

By Agencies and TOI staff

Defense Minister Benny Gantz, right, walks alongside US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during an honor guard ceremony at Israel's military headquarters in Tel Aviv on April 11, 2021. (Ariel Hermoni)

April 11, 2021, 3:56 pm

Hosting US defense chief, Gantz says Iran nuclear deal must protect Israel

Defense minister says US is a ‘full partner across all operational theaters’; Austin doesn’t mention Tehran, pledges consultations to ensure Israel’s regional military superiority

By Judah Ari Gross

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin attends a Cabinet meeting with President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, April 1, 2021, in Washington. (AP/Evan Vucci)

April 10, 2021, 1:56 pm

US defense chief due in Israel Sunday amid rising Iran tensions

Lloyd Austin to meet with Netanyahu, Gantz, as Washington engages in talks to revive nuke agreement and Tehran inaugurates new centrifuges

By TOI staff and AFP

In this file photo taken on March 20, 2021 US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addresses a joint media briefing held in New Delhi. - US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will travel to Israel, Germany, Britain and the NATO headquarters in Belgium in the coming week for talks with government and military leaders, the Pentagon announced April 8, 2021. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP)

April 9, 2021, 1:57 am

Amid Iran tensions, US defense chief to visit Israel

Lloyd Austin to be highest-ranking official to visit Israel from Biden administration; will also travel to Germany, Britain and NATO headquarters

By TOI staff and AFP

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin listens as his Indian counterpart reads out a press statement in New Delhi, India, March 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

April 7, 2021, 12:27 am

US defense chief Lloyd Austin to visit Israel next week — report

Trip would be 1st to the Middle East by a Biden cabinet member; talks expected to focus on Iran, ensuring Israel’s qualitative military edge

By TOI staff

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) speaks to staff at the State Department in Washington during US President Joe Biden's first visit, February 4, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP)

March 14, 2021, 12:21 pm

North Korea ignores overtures from US as Biden officials head to Asia for talks

American officials reach out to Pyongyang but receive no response; secretaries of state and defense set to begin talks in Japan and South Korea in 1st Cabinet-level trip abroad

By Matthew Lee

US President Joe Biden speaks at a FEMA COVID-19 mass vaccination site at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, Feb. 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

February 27, 2021, 1:34 am

Biden says US airstrikes in Syria sent warning to Iran: ‘Be careful’

US president says strike meant to tell Tehran, ‘You can’t act with impunity’; several leading Democratic lawmakers denounce attack, Republicans more supportive

By Lolita C. Baldor, Robert Burns and Qassim Abdul-Zahra

Two US Air Force F-22 Raptors fly over Syria, February 2, 2018, while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. (US Air National Guard/Staff Sgt. Colton Elliott)

February 26, 2021, 4:00 pm

Israel said very pleased with US strikes in Syria: ‘Biden is not Obama’

Officials tell Walla News they see attacks on Iran-backed militia base as a positive signal about new administration’s posture toward Tehran, say US gave Israel advance notice

By TOI staff and Agencies