U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday “to reiterate ironclad U.S. support for Israel’s security and right to self-defense against threats from Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, Houthis and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups,” according to Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary.
“They discussed U.S. force posture moves that the department is taking to bolster protection for U.S. forces, support the defense of Israel, and deter and de-escalate broader tensions in the region,” Ryder stated. “Secretary Austin also expressed strong support for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.”
On social media, Austin mentioned discussing “ironclad U.S. support for Israel’s right to self-defense against threats posed by Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, Houthis, and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups” and “U.S. defensive force posture moves, the focus on protecting U.S. forces and stressed the importance of ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.”
The U.S. secretary also stated that he expressed “support for a Gaza ceasefire deal that brings the hostages home.”
He did not mention in the social media post that he and Gallant discussed the movement of U.S. forces to “support the defense of Israel.”
