Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Reuters
Reuters
Politics

Pentagon chief reiterates 'ironclad' support for Israel in call with counterpart

FILE PHOTO: U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin looks on as he arrives for a meeting of foreign ministers of the U.S., Britain, France and Germany on Afghanistan at NATO's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 14, 2021. Kenzo Tribouillard/Pool via Reuters

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday reiterated the United States' "ironclad support" for Israel's right to defend itself in a call with his Israeli counterpart, the Pentagon said.

"Secretary Austin conveyed the Department's ironclad support for Israel's legitimate right to defend itself and its people, and he strongly condemned the launching of rockets by Hamas and other terrorists groups," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

"(Austin) reiterated the importance of all involved parties to take steps to restore calm," Kirby added.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali, Editing by Franklin Paul)

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.