Israeli, US defense chiefs hold urgent talks amid escalating Mideast tension

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has once again spoken with his US counterpart, Lloyd Austin, to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East, according to Israel’s defense ministry.

This marks their fourth conversation since the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. Their previous calls took place on July 31, August 2, and August 5, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

During the call, Gallant updated Austin on the security situation in the region and the readiness of the Israeli Defense Forces to protect Israel in collaboration with the US-led international coalition. Austin, in turn, briefed Gallant on the recent attack by Iranian-backed forces on US troops stationed in the region. Gallant condemned the attack, agreeing with Austin that it underscores Iran's destabilizing influence in the Middle East.

Tensions have soared in the region following the killings of Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah's armed wing commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Both Hamas and Hezbollah have accused Israel of responsibility and have vowed retaliation.

The Israeli defense ministry linked Shukr's elimination to a retaliatory strike following a deadly shelling attack on the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights, which claimed 12 lives. Hezbollah, however, has denied any involvement in the attack.

Meanwhile, the Shafaq News portal reported on Monday evening that the Al-Assad airbase in western Iraq, used by international coalition forces, had come under attack. A Pentagon spokesman confirmed to TASS that several US soldiers were injured in the incident. Later reports from The Times of Israel, citing American and Iraqi sources, indicated that at least five US soldiers were wounded.