Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met today with his U.K. counterpart, Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps, to discuss the escalating attacks by Iran-aligned militia groups on U.S troops in the Middle East, the illegal Houthi attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea, efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and both nations' continued support to Ukraine.
Secretary Austin thanked Secretary Shapps for the United Kingdom's steadfast support and leadership in coalition efforts to stave off further Houthi aggression, while defending naval and international commercial vessels exercising navigational rights and freedoms.
The leaders also discussed AUKUS and the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington, D.C.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the close and durable U.S.-U.K. partnership and commitment to the rules-based international order.
