Pentagon chief emphasizes Middle East stability in talks with counterparts

By Idris Ali and Kanishk Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone with counterparts in the Middle East and Europe on Monday to express support for Israel following Iran’s attacks, but to prevent the conflict from spreading, the Pentagon said. Also emphasized on regional stability.

Iran fired hundreds of drones and missiles on Saturday in retaliation for a suspected Israeli attack on its embassy compound in Syria. Most of the drones and missiles were shot down before reaching Israeli territory.

The Pentagon said Iran had not informed the US in advance about its attack on Israel and that Washington did not want a conflict with Tehran.

Israel faces pressure from allies to show restraint and prevent an escalation of the regional conflict as it considers how to respond to Iran’s attack. Israel’s military chief said the country would respond to the Iranian attack.

Austin held separate talks on Monday with Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, as well as Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Qatar’s Defense Minister Khalid bin Mohammed Al Attiyah. of. In those calls, he condemned Iran’s attacks and said Washington did not want to escalate the conflict, according to the Pentagon.

Austin told his counterparts that “although the United States does not want to escalate tensions, we will continue to protect Israel and American personnel,” the Pentagon said. According to the Pentagon, in the call with Gallant, he expressed support for Israel’s defense and “reaffirmed the strategic goal of regional stability.”

“Whether Israel decides to retaliate against Iran is for Israel to decide,” a Pentagon spokesman told reporters earlier Monday.

Israel-Iran tensions have raised concerns that the violence inherent in the Gaza war is spreading further into the region. Since the war in Gaza began on October 7, clashes have erupted between Israel and Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

(Reporting by Idris Ali and Kanishk Singh; Editing by Leslie Adler and Lincoln Feist.)

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