Pentagon chief stresses Middle East stability in calls with counterparts

Reuters:

WASHINGTON, April 15 – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held calls on Monday with counterparts in the Middle East and Europe, expressing support for Israel after attacks from Iran but also stressing regional stability to prevent conflict from spreading, the Pentagon said.

Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles, opens new tab on Saturday in a retaliatory strike after a suspected Israeli strike on its embassy compound in Syria. Most of the drones and missiles were downed before reaching Israeli territory.

The U.S. was not informed by Iran in advance about its attack on Israel and Washington did not seek a conflict with Tehran, the Pentagon said.

Israel faced pressure, opens new tab from allies to show restraint and avoid an escalation of regional conflict as it considered how to respond to Iran’s barrage. Israel’s military chief of staff said the country would respond to 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 U.S. 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 spoa, Yemen and Iraq.