US defence secretary speaks with Gallant about Iran retaliation

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke on Friday to discuss the possibility of a retaliatory attack by Iran and the potential spread of polio in Gaza, the Pentagon press secretary Pat Ryder said in a statement.

Iran's leaders pledged a retaliation following the Israeli assassination of Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.

“Secretary Austin informed the minister that the United States continues to monitor attack planning from Iran and its proxies and is well postured across the region to defend Israel and protect US personnel and facilities,” the statement read.

In a post on X, Austin said he "confirmed the United States commitment to Israel’s security and shared that the United States is well postured across the region to defend Israel and protect U.S. personnel and facilities."

I called Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant yesterday to discuss continued exchanges of fire on the Israel-Lebanon border and the risk of escalation from Iran, Lebanese Hizballah, and Iran-backed terrorist groups across the Middle East. I confirmed the United States…

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) August 23, 2024