Lloyd Austin
![Warship in Muscat, Oman](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=700/2024/08/25/aa2695b0-62db-11ef-89f4-5d5f07a0d2ff__h4480_w6720.jpg)
The U.S. military mobilizes naval forces towards Israel in a strategic move to deter Iranian aggression. As tensions escalate, Washington signals its commitment to supporting Israel against regional threats.
![War](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/08/13/f5c8aeb0-596a-11ef-89f4-5d5f07a0d2ff__h3456_w5184.jpg)
Iran's Retaliatory Attack
Haniyeh's assassination aftermath has pushed Middle East to brink of all-out war. Iran keeps promising to launch a devastating retaliatory attack but to date, they have not done anything.
![Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/08/07/3caa77f0-54c5-11ef-a8a8-27fa25dcdbd2__h6720_w4480.jpg)
Majdal Shams, Nasrallah, War
Defense Minister Gallant issues a harsh warning to Hezbollah leader, telling him that his murder of 12 innocent Druze children in Majdal Shams is unacceptable and will be punished.
![Gallant and Austin.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/23/bbfd8b90-18f3-11ef-90bc-6511137cc1af__h2310_w3465.jpg)
US-Israel ties, Lloyd Austin support, Defence secretary
On Monday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, reaffirming America's strong support for Israel's security and its right to self-defense against threats from Iran, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other Iranian-backed terrorist groups.
![9/11 Attacks](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/08/03/5e3445f0-51d6-11ef-a8a8-27fa25dcdbd2__h2232_w3368.jpg)
9/11 Plea Deal, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed
Dramatic U-turn pulls back controversial deal that angered victims’ families.
![Fighter jet at sunset flying above mountains.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/08/04/02c2db00-523a-11ef-89f4-5d5f07a0d2ff__h3000_w4500.jpg)
USA, Iran, Fears of War
As tensions simmer in the Middle East following Ismail Haniyeh's death, the Pentagon flexes its military muscle with a strategic deployment of F-22 fighters, missile-defense-capable warships, and the redirection of a formidable aircraft carrier to the region.
![A boxing match between the USA and Iran](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/07/31/58b9b070-4f5a-11ef-89f4-5d5f07a0d2ff__h2918_w5520.jpg)
Iran, America, Ismail Haniyeh
Tehran points finger at Washington in Hamas leader's death, despite Blinken's denial of U.S. involvement; Iran vows retaliation, raising concerns for regional stability and ongoing hostage negotiations.
![Ismail Haniyeh in an address on the day of his assassination](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/07/31/324aee90-4f0f-11ef-a8a8-27fa25dcdbd2__h283_w547.png)
Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, Assassination
Iran vows retaliation as global powers react to Hamas leader's assassination in Tehran. From Russia's condemnation to U.S. reticence, the world watches as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.
![Gallant and Austin.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/23/bbfd8b90-18f3-11ef-90bc-6511137cc1af__h2310_w3465.jpg)
US Aid to Israel, Hezbollah war, Secretary of Defence
Amid concerns about escalation in the north, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin clarified that the U.S. will assist Israel if it is attacked by Hezbollah. Austin stated: "Israel will do whatever it takes to defend itself, and we are committed to helping it do so."
![Gallant and Austin.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/23/bbfd8b90-18f3-11ef-90bc-6511137cc1af__h2310_w3465.jpg)
Israel-Gaza War, United States
Overnight, the Defense Minister and Defense Secretary discussed the need for better humanitarian arrangements while ensuring the hostages are freed and Hamas defeated.
![Gallant and Austin.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/05/06/eb1097d0-0ba4-11ef-ae3e-5ba489b5eb8e__h2310_w3465.jpg)
Israel-Gaza War
In their conversation last night, Defense Minister Gallant told Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that Hamas' rejection of all proposed deals has forced Israel's hand on Rafah.
![Defense Minister Gallant.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/03/24/1ccecf80-ea21-11ee-a65c-fd3f72bc574c__h5159_w7734.jpg)
Israel-Gaza War, US-Israel Relations
The Defense Minister said his visit to the United States will be aimed at ensuring Israel has the equipment it needs to complete its tasks in Gaza and Lebanon as well as maintain the relationship with the US.
![Gallant and Austin.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/01/19/eabd9ff0-b6ac-11ee-adaf-d9320ff81fe5__h331_w650.jpeg)
Israel-Gaza War, United States
Meanwhile, the Defense Minister told the American Defense Secretary that Israel's goals in the southern Strip have not changed and that it is determined to achieve them.
![American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2024/01/15/c6d118c0-b3c7-11ee-8c05-7fe1aa7dfba1__h331_w650.jpg)
Defense Secretary, United States
Two weeks after being hospitalized to treat prostate cancer, the White House announced that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will be released from hospital. He will work from home and eventually work full time at the Pentagon.
![Defense Secretary Austin Forms Task Force to Protect Red Sea Shipping as Houthis Remain Defiant](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2023/12/19/5d09a0c0-9e6d-11ee-adaf-d9320ff81fe5__h635_w800.jpeg)
Houthis, Red Sea, United States
Secretary Austin outlined his plan to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea in a virtual conference with senior officials from over 43 countries and beseeched them to join.
![Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Archive.](https://images.jfeed.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=jpeg,fit=contain,width=300/2023/11/13/57dbcd60-8263-11ee-86b6-1123a72ebd00__h791_w1024.jpg)
Israel-Gaza War, US-Iran Tensions
US Secretary of Defense said that these strikes were focused on Eastern Syrian bases used by Iranian or Iran-backed forces attacking US personnel.