Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Egypt's Minister of Defense, General Mohamed Zaki, today to discuss regional challenges and our deep bilateral security cooperation. Secretary Austin reiterated U.S. commitment to the Middle East and Egyptian security in the face of regional threats and expressed appreciation for Egypts'leadership in preventing the spread of the current conflict and in providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.