The Pentagon announced Thursday that the top US commander for the Middle East is currently in Israel engaging in discussions on security threats with the nation’s military officials. This visit coincides with concerns over potential retaliation from Iran following an Israeli strike in Syria earlier this month, which resulted in the deaths of seven members of Tehran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, including two generals.
General Erik Kurilla is in Israel “to meet with key IDF leadership… (and) discuss the current security threats in the region,” Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder told journalists.
Ryder stated that the trip was rescheduled to an earlier date “due to recent developments.”
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On Wednesday, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a warning, stating that Israel “must be punished and will be punished,” while US President Joe Biden reaffirmed “ironclad” support for its key regional ally.
Additionally, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held discussions on Thursday with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant. Gallant informed the Pentagon chief that a “direct Iranian attack will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran.”
The defense ministry of Israel stated that the two officials “discussed readiness for an Iranian attack against the state of Israel,” with Gallant stressing that “the state of Israel will not tolerate an Iranian attack on its territory.”
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