Asked about the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the US would help defend Israel if it is attacked.
Following the assassination, which Israel has not claimed responsibility for or commented on, Iran’s Ali Khameini has vowed to take revenge against Israel.
The assassination of Haniyeh follows the killing of Fouad Sukar, the number 2 Hezbollah commander, which Israel has claimed responsibility for.
Austin reaffirmed the US’s support for Israel and said it would help defend the Jewish State if attacked by Iran as it did in April.
“We certainly will help defend Israel. You saw us do that April [when the US led a coalition of forces that, together with Israel, almost completely thwarted an Iranian attack on Israel with hundreds of drones and missiles]. You can expect to see us do that again.”
However, Austin added that the US would prefer a diplomatic situation and was working to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
