Pentagon chief pledges to defend Israel in case of attack by Iran
Photo: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (Getty Images)
Washington will help protect Israel if it comes under attack. At the same time, the US is working to reduce tensions in the region following the elimination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, says US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
During a press conference in the Philippines, Austin said that de-escalation of tensions remains a priority.
"We don't want to see any of that happen. We're going to work hard to make sure that we're doing things to help take the temperature down and address issues through diplomatic gatherings," he said.
Austin stated that he does not consider a large-scale war in the Middle East inevitable and that the United States is committed to reducing the growing tension in the region.
"I don't think war is inevitable. I maintain that. I think there's always room and opportunities for diplomacy," Austin said.
His remarks came after Israel announced on Tuesday that it had killed a Hezbollah commander responsible for a deadly strike on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
When asked if he could confirm information about another strike that resulted in the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on Wednesday, Austin replied: "I don't have any additional information to provide."
The Palestinian militant group Hamas has called the strike a "harsh escalation" that will not achieve its goals.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed Haniyeh's death and stated that an investigation is underway.
