US promises Israel protection from Iran on day of Nasrallah’s assassination
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant the United States is determined to prevent Iran and Iran-backed groups from expanding the conflict in Lebanon.
Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said in a statement that Austin expressed full US support for Israel’s right to defend itself on Friday, and “made it clear that the United States remains postured to protect US forces and facilities in the region and committed to the defence of Israel”.
Both Austin and US President Joe Biden said Israel gave them no advance warning of the deadly air strikes on southern Beirut that killed Nasrallah.
Defence chief Lloyd Austin, right, welcomes counterpart Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon in June
Biden repeats US ‘fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself’
US President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the killing of Nasrallah, calling it “a measure of justice for his many victims, including thousands of Americans, Israelis, and Lebanese civilians”.
Biden said the US “fully supports Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and any other Iranian-supported terrorist groups”.
He added that his government was enhancing “the defense posture of U.S. military forces in the Middle East region to deter aggression and reduce the risk of a broader regional war”.
There was no mention in Biden’s statement about the civilians, including the dozens of children, who have been killed since Israel intensified its bombing campaign across Lebanon on Monday.
The US is Israel’s main weapons supplier and diplomatic ally. Since the start of the war on Gaza in October, Washington has vetoed three UN Security Council proposals for a ceasefire in Gaza. It abstained on another vote in March demanding an immediate ceasefire. Analysts have repeatedly warned that the US’s failure to apply pressure on Israel to end the war on Gaza and prevent escalation in Lebanon is leading the region to an all-out war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and US President Joe Biden
