Israeli Defence Minister urges US to strengthen counteraction to Iran in Middle East

Israeli Defence Minister, Benny Gantz, discussed the security situation in the Middle East with the United States Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, in Washington on May 19.

Gantz urged the United States to strengthen cooperation within the framework of a regional coalition aimed at countering Iran, TASS quotes the press service of the Israeli Defence Ministry as saying.

"We must act resolutely against Iran's growing regional aggression in various ways, this includes strengthening in practice the coalition led by the United States together with regional partners," the Israeli minister said, quoted by the press service.

Gantz, at a meeting with Austin, thanked his American counterpart for the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in the defence sphere and for the personal efforts of the Pentagon chief in strengthening Israel’s security.

During the conversation, the heads of defence departments “touched on issues of mutual interest, primarily the Iranian nuclear threat and regional aggression” of Tehran, the Israeli Defense Ministry said. "Defense Minister Gantz paid special attention to the historic changes in the region along with the growing threat posed by Iran's aggression and support for terrorism," the ministry's press service added.

In addition to the Iranian problem, Gantz and Austin also discussed the situation around Ukraine. In this regard, Gantz confirmed that Israel supports the Kyiv authorities, in particular by providing humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and supplying defensive equipment to Kyiv.

The parties also discussed the counter-terrorism measures taken by the authorities of the Jewish state after the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Israel.