US and Israeli Defense Ministers Discuss Escalating Middle East Conflict
US and Israeli Defense Ministers Lloyd Austin and Yoav Galant held a telephone conversation on August 5th, concluding that the strike on the Ain al-Asad airbase in Iraq significantly escalated tensions in the Middle East. This escalation was highlighted in a statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Patrick Ryder.
The statement emphasized that the attack demonstrated Iran‘s destabilizing role in the region. Both ministers acknowledged the heightened tensions and expressed concern over the worsening security situation.
Austin also conveyed the US commitment to ensuring Israel’s security in the face of threats from Iran, Lebanon, Hezbollah, and other Iranian-linked militant groups. He also briefed Galant on measures being taken to strengthen the US military presence in the Middle East in response to the escalating conflict.