Washington:
The top US commander for the Middle East is in Israel to discuss security threats with the country’s military officials, the Pentagon said on Thursday.
The visit comes amid fears that Iran will retaliate after an Israeli strike in Syria earlier this month killed seven members of Tehran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, including two generals.
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that Gen. Eric Korella was in Israel “to meet with key IDF leadership … (and) to discuss current security threats in the region.”
Ryder said the trip was extended from the previously scheduled date “due to recent developments”.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Wednesday that Israel “must be punished and will be punished”, while US President Joe Biden pledged “ironclad” support for his top regional ally.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, meanwhile, spoke to his Israeli counterpart Yves Gallant on Thursday, who told the Pentagon chief that “a direct Iranian attack would require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran.”
The country’s defense ministry said in a statement that the two “discussed preparations for an Iranian attack against the State of Israel,” with Gallant “emphasizing that Israel will not tolerate an Iranian attack on its territory.”
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