US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his colleagues from the Middle East and Europe, expressing his support for Israel after the attacks by Iran, but also emphasizing the importance of stability in the region to prevent the escalation of the conflict, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA, citing the Pentagon.
On Saturday evening, Iran attacked Israel with hundreds of drones and missiles in response to an alleged Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria. Most of the drones and missiles were shot down before they reached Israeli territory.
The United States was not notified in advance by Iran of its attack on Israel and Washington is not seeking conflict with Tehran, the Pentagon said.
Israel is under pressure from its allies to exercise restraint and avoid escalating the regional conflict as it considers how to respond to the massive Iranian attack. The Israeli army's chief of staff said the country would respond to the Iranian attack.
Austin spoke separately yesterday with Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, his German counterpart Boris Pistorius and Qatari Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah. In those calls, he condemned Iran's attacks and said Washington did not seek to escalate the conflict, the Pentagon said.
"While the United States does not seek to escalate, we will continue to defend Israel and American personnel," Austin said, according to the Pentagon. In the call with Gallant, he expressed support for Israel's defense and "reaffirmed the strategic goal of establishing regional stability.".
"It is up to Israel to decide whether or not to take retaliatory action against Iran," a Pentagon spokesman told reporters earlier yesterday.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have heightened concerns that the war between Israel and the Palestinian radical movement "Hamas" in the Gaza Strip could spread to other parts of the region. Since the start of the Gaza war on October 7 last year, Israel has been engaged in clashes with Iran-linked groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq, Reuters recalls.