Austin said in a phone call, “While the United States does not want to escalate the conflict, we will protect Israel and US personnel.”
According to Pentagon information, the US Defense Secretary expressed his country's support in defending the country in a conversation with Israel's Defense Minister Gallant. Along with that, he reaffirmed about achieving the strategic goal of regional stability.
Earlier, a Pentagon spokesman told reporters, “Whether or not Israel decides to retaliate against Iran is up to them.”
Tensions between Israel and Iran have raised fears that violence over the Gaza war could spill over into the Middle East. Clashes between Israel and Iran-backed groups have also erupted in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq since the start of the war in Gaza on October 7 last year.
