Photo: Collected
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has discussed the aftermath of Iran's missile attack on Israel with his Israeli counterpart, Yoav Gallant, and reiterated Washington's support for the Jewish country's defense sector, Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder said.
"Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss the aftermath of Iran's unprecedented April 13 attacks, which U.S., Israeli, and partner forces thwarted in a combined defensive operation," Ryder said on Monday (15 April).
Austin "reiterated steadfast U.S. support" for Israel's defense and reaffirmed the strategic goal of regional stability.
On Saturday night, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in its first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The attack came in response to Israel's airstrike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital in early April. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said Israel had intercepted 99% of the aerial targets fired by Iran, including all drones.
Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz said on Sunday that the government would build a regional coalition to confront Iran. He said Israel's retaliation to Iran's air attack would be "in the fashion and timing of our choice."
Messenger/Mumu
