US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant today to “reaffirm the US ironclad commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies,” according to a Pentagon spokesperson.
The call comes a day after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel “must be punished and it will be” following a strike on an Iranian embassy compound in Syria that killed seven Iranian officials.
“A direct Iranian attack on Israeli territory would require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran,” Gallant said on the call, according to a statement issued by his office.
Israel “will not tolerate an Iranian attack on its territory,” the statement read, adding that the two defense leaders also discussed detailed preparations “for an Iranian attack against the State of Israel.”
Gallant said an Iranian attack on Israel could lead to a regional escalation.
It is the second discussion held between Gallant and Austin over the past week, according to the statement.
Gallant expressed his appreciation for Austin’s personal commitment to the security of Israel and for the deepening cooperation between the defense establishments of both countries, as well as between the Israel Defense Forces and US CENTCOM.
