US Defense Secretary Reaffirms Commitment to Israel's Security

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a conversation with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, reaffirmed the US's "unwavering commitment to ensuring Israel's security and its right to self-defense," according to the Pentagon.

Their discussion focused on finding a diplomatic solution to Israel's conflict with Lebanon's Hezbollah, aiming to "allow citizens on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanese border to return safely to their homes," the official statement said.

The conversation also reportedly touched on the threat from Iran following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, although this was not mentioned in the official communique.