US Supports Israel's Right to Self-Defense After Lebanon Raid

US Defense Secretary: "Iran Would Face Serious Consequences If It Attacks Israel"
"Lebanon Must Be Prevented From Attacking Israel"

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin explained regarding Israel's initiation of ground operations in the southern Lebanon border area that he "consulted with Yoav Galant, Israel's Minister of Defense, and expressed full support."

On the 1st, Austin stated in a post on his X (formerly Twitter), "Today, I consulted with Minister Galant about Israel's operations" and "made it clear that the United States supports Israel's right to defend itself." Earlier, Israel announced that it had begun limited, localized, and targeted "ground raids" based on precise intelligence on Hezbollah terrorist targets in the southern Lebanon border area that morning.

Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Secretary Austin said, "We agreed on the necessity to dismantle Hezbollah's attack infrastructure along the border to prevent attacks on northern Israel similar to those on October 7 last year." He added, "I reaffirmed the need for a diplomatic solution so that civilians on both sides of the border can safely return to their homes," and "The United States is prepared to defend Americans, partners, and allies against threats from Iran and Iran-backed terrorist organizations." He also emphasized, "If Iran carries out a direct military attack against Israel, there will be severe consequences for Iran."

This is the first time in 18 years since 2006 that Israel has deployed ground forces in Lebanon. Concerns are growing that the Gaza Strip war might escalate into a broader conflict in the Middle East. Israel began large-scale bombings of Hezbollah military facilities on the 19th of last month to enable residents of the northern border area, who fled due to attacks by the pro-Iran Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, to return home, before launching ground operations.