US defense chief receives updates on Israeli strikes against Iranian military targets

WASHINGTON

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli defense cheif Yoav Gallant to receive updates on Israeli strikes against military targets in Iran, the Pentagon said Friday.

Austin reaffirmed the "ironclad commitment" of the US to Israel’s security and right to self-defense in a telephone call, spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.

The call came after Israel announced early Saturday that its military conducted "precise strikes" against “military targets” in Iran, as explosions were heard in the Iranian capital of Tehran.

Austin "emphasized the enhanced force posture of the United States to defend U.S. personnel, Israel, and partners across the region in the face of threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations and the U.S. determination to prevent any actor from exploiting tensions or expanding the conflict in the region," Ryder added.

The US said previously that Israel "is conducting targeted strikes against military targets in Iran as an exercise of self-defense and in response to Iran’s ballistic missile attack against Israel on October 1st."

The White House confirmed President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were briefed on the strikes.

"The US was informed beforehand and there is no US involvement," according to an American defense official.