Pentagon chief Austin discusses Iran, Gaza aid with Gallant
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US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discusses with Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant what it called "destabilizing actions" from Iran in the Middle East after Iran carried out a retaliatory attack on "Israel".
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Sec of Defense Lloyd Austin during a House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Defense budget hearing Fiscal Year 2025 on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Washington. (AP)
In a statement, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday spoke with Israeli Security Minister Yoav Gallant to discuss the latest developments in the Middle East with Iran's retaliatory attack on "Israel" and aid into Gaza.
The Pentagon said that Austin discussed "the importance of increasing and sustaining" the flow of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, "including via a new route from Ashdod Port in Israel".
According to Reuters, "Israel" reopened the Erez crossing into northern Gaza and allowed the temporary use of the "Ashdod" port in southern occupied Palestine after US President Joe Biden threatened to impose conditions on support for "Israel" unless it alleviates the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
On Wednesday, the Israeli occupation army said that food trucks entered the Gaza Strip from "Ashdod" Port for the first time since the government approved its opening, as per Reuters.
The Pentagon statement stressed that Austin and Gallant discussed what it called "destabilizing actions" from Iran in the Middle East after Iran carried out a retaliatory attack on "Israel" for striking its consulate in Damascus and killing seven Iranian military advisors.
White House says 'no comment' on Israel's attack in Iran
The White House abstained on Friday from commenting on reports of Israeli attacks in Iran overnight, as conveyed by White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre.
The absence of comment marks a departure for a White House that typically offers insights on the latest developments.
Earlier on Thursday, Iranian sources confirmed to Al Mayadeen that no external aggression on Iran occurred after Friday midnight.
Following circulating news on Western-based media outlets, regarding a supposed Israeli attack on Iran, sources told Al Mayadeen that such an event did not occur. Instead, Iranian air defenses repelled a relatively small drone attack in Tabriz and Isfahan, which were likely launched domestically.
What is being circulated about an Israeli attack on Iran are lies and are part of a misinformation war, according to our sources.
This came after Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force announced that it targeted Israeli positions in occupied Palestine with dozens of drones and missiles, as part of the retaliatory response to the malicious Israeli crime against the Iranian embassy in Syria.
Described as "unprecedented" by a Sky News correspondent, the IRGC's Aerospace Force announced that the operation dubbed "True Promise" was launched in the context of "punishing the criminal Zionist regime."
