Austin to Gallant: Notify us in advance of response to Iranian attack

Peloni:  Israel should remain cautious and apprehensive with regards to informing the Iranian infiltrated US administration of its planned response prior to making that response.  The US posture of pivoting towards Iran, which has not abated since October 7, should be recalled to be the context in which US-Israeli relations stand today. Do recall the leaks which were passed to the Iranians during Obama’s second term to deter Israel.  Hence, any notification should be withheld til the shooting begins.

Meanwhile, US officials tell NBC News that there is concern in Washington that Israel could do something quickly in response to Iran’s attacks without thinking through potential fallout afterward.

INN    April 14, 2024

Lloyd Austin and Yoav GallantAriel Hermoni, Defense Ministry

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin asked his Israeli counterpart, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, to notify the US ahead of any potential response to the Iranian attack, a US official told CNN on Saturday night.

The two had spoken hours after Iran had launched its massive barrage of drones and missiles at Israel.

After the conversation, Gallant wrote on social media, “Spoke with Secretary Austin about Israel’s defensive operations in the face of Iran’s attack. We are prepared for any further threats, and are determined to defend our citizens.”

“Thank you to Secretary Austin and the US Administration for standing boldly with Israel,” he added.

Gallant and Austin had previously spoken on Thursday night. In a readout following the call, Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said that Austin reiterated during the conversation with Gallant “ironclad US support for Israel’s defense in the face of growing threats from Iran and its regional proxies.”

“Echoing President Biden’s unequivocal message to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Secretary Austin assured Minister Gallant that Israel could count on full US support to defend Israel against Iranian attacks, which Tehran has publicly threatened,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, a senior administration official and a senior defense official told NBC News on Saturday night that there is concern among top US officials that Israel could do something quickly in response to Iran’s attacks without thinking through potential fallout afterward.

President Joe Biden has privately expressed concern that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to drag the US more deeply into a broader conflict, according to three people familiar with his comments.

Those concerns stem in part from the administration’s views of the approach Israel has taken to its war against Hamas, as well as the attack in Damascus.

While the White House believes the Israelis are not looking for a wider war or a direct war with Iran, particularly given the resources they have fighting the war in Gaza, US officials can’t be certain, the senior administration official said.

April 14, 2024 | 5 Comments »

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  1. “Walk softly but carry a big stick.” – Teddy Roosevelt/Donald Trump
    “Talk loudly, incoherently, wave your stick around wildly, confuse the hell out of everybody, naptime.” – J’ O’Biden

    “Hegel observed that historical events tend to appear twice, tye first time as tragedy, tge second, farce.” – Carlos Marx

  2. @Tanna Too many red lines have been crossed and not responded to as warned for such a pronouncement to carry much weight. One of the things that gave Trump gravitas as commander in chief and America with him on the part of both enemies and allies awas his retaliation against Assad for crossing Obama’s red line. Obama was viewed internationally as a joke for the same reason or rather lack thereof. I seem to recall that when he visited Cuba, he wasn’t even greeted upon arrival by the head of state.

  3. Michael, I could live with all you reported. Israel does not retaliate. Iran had to act like they were making a response. They have…. now let it die. No need to give it for tat.

    However, it’s time Israel tell the world and all their neighbors in the middle east. We want peace with our neighbors; therefore, we are holding our fire. But, let it be known that any missile or drone sent into Israel our space form this day forward, once we determined it’s point of origin, we will strike that area and destroy it. We will not ask if it is a school, hospital or government building. We will shoot first and ask questions late. YOUR WARNED. Don’t start nuthin, there want be nuthin!

  4. April 14 2024 12:09:40

    Iran says retaliation ‘concluded’, warns Israel not to respond

    https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/iran-says-retaliation-concluded-warns-israel-not-to-respond-192434

    Iran and Israel should exercise restraint and avoid a further escalation of hostilities in the region, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday, commenting on Tehran’s drone and missile strikes on Israel over the weekend.

    https://www.rt.com/russia/595936-israel-iran-russia-response/

    April 14 2024 14:43:15
    Erdo?an urges global action against Israel’s war

    https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-urges-global-action-against-israels-war-192440

    BREAKING (not confirmed):

    Updated 1 min ago – World
    Scoop: Biden told Bibi U.S. won’t support an Israeli counterattack on Iran

    https://www.axios.com/2024/04/14/biden-netanyahu-iran-israel-us-wont-support