Pentagon Chief Assures Israel of US Readiness Against Iran – Reuters

By Kanishka Singh and Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held discussions with his Israeli counterpart on Tuesday evening, following Iran’s missile strike on Israel in response to Israel’s military actions in Lebanon. Austin emphasized that the U.S. is "well-postured" to safeguard its interests in the Middle East.

Importance of the Situation

Earlier that day, Iran launched ballistic missiles at Israel as retaliation for the military campaign that has resulted in numerous casualties and the displacement of over a million people in Lebanon.

Iran announced that its missile attacks were concluded, unless provoked further. No injuries were reported in Israel, and U.S. officials deemed Iran’s assault ineffective.

Future Actions

Both Israel and the U.S. have committed to retaliate against Iran amid growing concerns of an expanded conflict.

Key Statements

According to the Pentagon, "The Secretary (Austin) reaffirmed that the United States remains well positioned to defend U.S. personnel, allies, and partners in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations," following Austin’s conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Austin also mentioned in a post that he and Gallant expressed mutual gratitude for jointly defending against the nearly 200 ballistic missiles launched by Iran and committed to maintaining close contact.

Context

Israel has intensified its military operations in Lebanon recently, targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. Concurrently, Israel is engaged in a military campaign in Gaza, which erupted following a deadly attack on Israel by Hamas militants on October 7. The military response against Hamas has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread displacement in Gaza, contributing to a dire humanitarian crisis in the region.