Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss the Israel Defense Forces' overnight precision strikes on military targets in Iran. The Secretary reaffirmed - as he did in the aftermath of Iran's brazen attack on Israel on October 1 - the United States' ironclad commitment to Israel's security and support for its right to defend itself. Secretary Austin pointed to the recent deployment of a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery to Israel as an example of these commitments. The Secretary emphasized that the United States is well postured to defend U.S. forces, facilities, and partners across the region and determined to prevent any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding the conflict in the region. He told the Minister that Iran should not make the mistake of responding to Israel's strikes, which should mark the end of this exchange. The Secretary also discussed the opportunities that now exist to use diplomacy to dial down tensions in the region, including a hostage release and ceasefire deal in Gaza and an agreement in Lebanon that allows civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to return safely to their homes.