Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant on Oct. 10 to discuss Israel's operations in Lebanon. The Secretary reaffirmed ironclad support for Israel's right to defend itself and reiterated U.S. commitment to a diplomatic arrangement that safely returns both Lebanese and Israeli civilians to their homes on both sides of the border. Secretary Austin also emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of UNIFIL forces in the area and urged coordinating efforts to pivot from military operations to a diplomatic pathway as soon as feasible. They also discussed the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and the Secretary called for urgent steps to address it.
The Secretary made clear that the United States is well postured to defend U.S. personnel, partners, and allies against attacks from Iran and Iranian-backed partners and proxies. The two leaders reiterated their commitment to preventing any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding the conflict in the region.
