Israel’s defense minister will travel to Washington this week for talks at the Pentagon.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters at the Pentagon on Monday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is having regular discussions with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. He said the conversations include what Israel’s next steps will be.
Noting that Gallant will be in the Pentagon to meet with Austin this week, he said the visit “provides the opportunity for ongoing discussions in more depth.” Austin, he said, will also continue to stress the importance of talking civilian safety into account.
Asked if the US has gotten assurances from the Israelis that they will give the Biden administration a heads up as they conduct major operations, Ryder said the US has been clear that “it’s helpful to be able to have awareness about activities in the region for several reasons. One, to ensure that we can protect Americans and US forces throughout the region in terms of potential second, third order effects.”
“But then also as we work to support the defense of Israel,” he stressed.
Ryder would not comment on what the US may or may not do if Israel strikes nuclear or other key targets in Iran. He said Austin agrees with President Joe Biden in opposition to strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran.
He said the US continues to work to prevent the conflict from expanding into a wider regional war. But he stressed that the US supports Israel’s efforts to defend itself against Hamas, through operations in Gaza, and against Hezbollah, through strikes in Lebanon.
