The US supports Israel’s “right to defend itself” and vowed “serious consequences” for Iran if it chooses to attack the Jewish state, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said — as Israeli forces launched its ground invasion of Lebanon overnight.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said the US supports Israel’s “right to defend itself” with its ground invasion of Lebanon — while vowing “serious consequences” for Iran if it attacks the Jewish state.
The Pentagon chief said he spoke to his Israeli defense counterpart, Yoav Gallant, late Monday where he was briefed on Israel starting “targeted ground raids” against Hezbollah overnight.
“I made it clear that the United States supports Israel’s right to defend itself,” Austin said in a statement on X following his call with Gallant.
“We agreed on the necessity of dismantling attack infrastructure along the border to ensure that Lebanese Hezbollah cannot conduct October 7-style attacks on Israel’s northern communities.
