U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd
Austin spoke to his Israeli counterpart late on Tuesday, hours after Iran's
missile attack on Israel following Israel's military campaign in Lebanon, and
said Washington was "well-postured" to defend its interests in the
Middle East.
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT
Earlier in the day, Iran fired
ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israel's military campaign in
Lebanon that has killed hundreds and displaced over a million, opens new tab
people.
Iran later said its missile attack
on Israel was over, barring further provocation. No injuries were reported in
Israel and Washington called Iran's attack ineffective.
WHAT'S NEXT
Israel and the U.S. have promised
to retaliate against Tehran as fears of a wider war intensify.
KEY QUOTES
"The Secretary (Austin)
reaffirmed that the United States remains well postured to defend U.S.
personnel, allies, and partners in the face of threats from Iran and
Iran-backed terrorist organizations," the Pentagon said in a statement
after Austin's call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
"The minister and I expressed
mutual appreciation for the coordinated defense of Israel against nearly 200
ballistic missiles launched by Iran and committed to remain in close
contact," Austin said separately in a post on X.
CONTEXT
Israel has escalated its military
campaign in Lebanon in recent days, launching operations that the Israeli
military says are targeting Lebanese Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.
Israel is also waging a war in
Gaza, which followed a deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Palestinian Hamas
militants. Israeli's military assault on Hamas-governed Gaza has killed tens of
thousands of people, displaced nearly everyone there, caused a hunger crisis in
the enclave.