Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Today, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant to reiterate unwavering U.S. commitment to Israel's security in the face of threats from Iran, Lebanese Hizballah, and other Iran-aligned militia groups. Secretary Austin and Minister Gallant agreed that today's Iran-aligned militia attack on U.S. forces stationed at Al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq marked a dangerous escalation and demonstrated Iran's destabilizing role in the region. Secretary Austin provided an update on measures to strengthen U.S. military posture in the region in light of this escalating situation.