Pentagon Press Secretary Brig Gen Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, His Excellency Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al-Ahmad Al Sabah. Secretary Austin congratulated the Minister on his recent appointment and reaffirmed the enduring strategic relationship and defense partnership between the United States and Kuwait. The Secretary also expressed solidarity and condolences for the Kuwaiti people on the 33rd anniversary of the invasion of Kuwait.
Secretary Austin thanked Kuwait for its longstanding generosity in hosting U.S. forces, and expressed gratitude for Kuwait’s critical role in working to achieve regional stability and security.