US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin engaged in calls on Monday with counterparts in the Middle East and Europe, affirming support for Israel following attacks from Iran while also emphasizing the importance of regional stability to prevent further conflict escalation, according to statements from the Pentagon.
Iran launched a significant number of drones and missiles on Saturday in response to a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria. However, the majority of these drones and missiles were intercepted before reaching Israeli territory.
The Pentagon clarified that the US was not given prior notice by Iran regarding its attack on Israel and reiterated that Washington did not seek confrontation with Tehran.
Meanwhile, Israel faced international pressure to exercise restraint and avoid exacerbating regional tensions in its response to Iran’s offensive. Israel’s military leadership indicated that the country would indeed retaliate against the Iranian attack.
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 Israel-Iran tensions have heightened concerns that violence rooted in the Gaza war is spreading further in the region. Since the start of the war in Gaza on Oct. 7, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran, Syria, Yemen and Iraq.
Source: Dunya News
