US Defense Secretary: We will support Israel if it is attacked

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has warned that the United States will support Israel if it is attacked following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Tehran.

On Wednesday, July 31, The Times of Israel reported that Austin made this statement during a joint press conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Gilberto Teodoro, the National Defense Secretary of the Philippines, and Enrique Manalo, the Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Austin emphasized, “If Israel is attacked, we will certainly help them defend themselves. As you saw in April, we did this, and you can expect the same response in the future.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken added that a broader war in the Middle East is not “inevitable” and expressed a commitment to working hard to ensure that tensions are reduced.

According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, Ismail Haniyeh was killed early on Wednesday, July 31, in Tehran by a “projectile” along with one of his bodyguards.

The assassination of Haniyeh has triggered a wave of international reactions and concerns.

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh and the subsequent responses from global leaders underscore the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The U.S. stance to support Israel and the international outcry highlight the complex and volatile nature of the regional conflict. As the situation develops, the international community will be closely watching for further responses and potential impacts on regional stability.

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