Lloyd Austin

Behind the scenes at the Pentagon on the day Hezbollah's pagers exploded - interview

This is the first time a senior US official is willing to discuss the behind-the-scenes events on the day Hezbollah’s pagers exploded.

(Illustrative) A pager device and a crowd in Lebanon near a site where Hezbollah members' pager devices were attacked.
 U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets with his Japanese counterpart Gen Nakatani (not pictured) on the day of their talks at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo, Japan December 10, 2024.

Austin to Katz: US to continue thwarting ISIS from reestablishing itself in Syria

 US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin attends a joint press conference during the 2024 Australia-US Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, US, August 6, 2024.

Pentagon concerned over reports of Israeli strikes against Lebanese Armed Forces

 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Major General, Hossein Salami speaks during the funeral ceremony of senior adviser for Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Sayyed Razi Mousavi, who was killed in an Israeli air strike outside the Syrian capital Damascus, in Tehran, Iran December

'Don't count on THAAD' for protection: IRGC issues renewed threats to Israel


Austin: Diplomacy needed, war between IDF, Hezbollah could easily spark regional war

“We are urgently seeking a diplomatic agreement that restores lasting calm to Israel's northern border and enables civilians to return safely to their homes," Austin said.

 US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin receives Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon in Washington, US, June 25, 2024.

Gallant to Austin: This is the moment for US to prevent a nuclear Iran

Austin told Gallant, “We stand together to ensure that Iran, which is the source of so much of the region's violence and instability, can never achieve a nuclear weapon."

 US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin receives Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at the Pentagon in Washington, US, June 25, 2024.

Gallant heads to DC in shadow of Bibi-Biden crisis

In the balance is: the future of the war and post-war Gaza policy, the status of weapons sales in a range of areas, Iran policy, and related regional issues.

 (L-R) US President Joe Biden, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Sec. Austin: Israel has made changes but civilian casualty rates have been far too high

"Accomplishing your goals and objectives, and protecting civilians in a battle space, are not mutually exclusive," Austin said.

 US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin attends a press conference during a NATO defense ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium June 14, 2024

Austin: US pauses shipment of payload munitions due to concerns over Rafah

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin clarified that the decision referred to only one shipment of arms and that no final decision had been made regarding other arms transfers to Israel. 

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin attends at the White House in Washington, May 6, 2024

Pentagon tracking mortar attack near planned US-Gaza aid stockpile zone

Ryder said it's important to highlight this occurred before any US forces started moving any supplies, and no US assets were damaged. It's unclear if any Israeli assets sustained damage.

 The Pentagon is seen from the air in Washington, U.S., March 3, 2022, more than a week after Russia invaded Ukraine.

US asks Israel to give early notice, hold consultations before future attacks on Iran

As both Israel and Iran mull reactions in light of growing tensions, the Biden administration has pushed Israel to hold consultations and communicate with the US prior to any strike on Iran.

 IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and US CENTCOM commander Michael Eric Kurilla holding a situation assessment on the threat from Iran, April 12, 2024.

US defense secretary says there's no evidence of Israel committing genocide in Gaza

Austin's testimony was interrupted by multiple pro-Palestinian protesters who erupted into applause each time Capitol Hill police escorted a demonstrator out of the senate chamber. 

  U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin looks on during a joint press conference with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant at Israel's Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv, Israel December 18, 2023.

Gallant: 'While I'm meeting with Pentagon, Hamas is meeting with Iran'

Gallant said that this juxtaposition of meetings and allegiances was "the clearest sign that there is a war going on between the free world and the axis which promotes terror."

 US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hold a joint statements at HaKirya base in Tel Aviv on October 13, 2023

Pentagon: Austin cites Hamas casualty numbers, but doesn't stand by them

More specifically, at the congressional hearing, Austin was asked how many Palestinian women and children had been killed by Israel, and Austin replied: "It is over 25,000."

 US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hold a joint statements at HaKirya base in Tel Aviv on October 13, 2023