WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a press briefing today, Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder detailed the Department of Defense’s current posture and actions in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, emphasizing the United States’ steadfast support for Israel’s defense against regional threats.
Maj. Gen. Ryder began by reiterating the U.S. commitment to monitoring the situation closely and remaining prepared to support Israel’s defense. He addressed the recent attacks by Lebanese Hezbollah on Israel, which took place on Saturday evening Eastern Time. In response to these attacks, Israel launched preemptive strikes against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon. Ryder clarified that while the U.S. provided intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support to track incoming attacks, the U.S. did not participate in any kinetic operations, as they were deemed unnecessary.
“Secretary Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant twice over the weekend to discuss Israel’s actions in defending against Hezbollah’s attacks,” Ryder noted. “In these conversations, Secretary Austin reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense and underscored the United States’ ironclad commitment to support Israel against threats from Iran and its regional proxies.”
As part of this commitment, Secretary Austin ordered two U.S. carrier strike groups, including the USS Theodore Roosevelt and USS Abraham Lincoln, to remain in the region. These deployments are intended to reinforce U.S. force protection and support Israel while working to prevent any potential aggression from Iran or other actors.
Ryder highlighted the U.S.’s dual focus on supporting Israel’s defense while actively seeking to de-escalate tensions in the region. He emphasized that the U.S. is committed to achieving a ceasefire as part of ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages and end the conflict in Gaza.
In addition to discussing the Middle East, Maj. Gen. Ryder touched on the Pentagon’s remembrance of the 13 U.S. service members who lost their lives three years ago at Abbey Gate in Kabul, Afghanistan. Secretary Austin released a statement honoring their sacrifice and reaffirming the nation’s gratitude for their service.
Ryder also announced the appointment of Dr. Jon T. Kosloski as the new director of the All Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), which is tasked with minimizing technical and intelligence surprises related to unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). Dr. Kosloski, who comes from the National Security Agency, will lead efforts to synchronize scientific, intelligence, and operational detection and identification of UAPs, particularly in national security areas.
During the question-and-answer session, Maj. Gen. Ryder confirmed that the U.S. provided ISR support to Israel but clarified that the U.S. did not assist in targeting operations for the preemptive strikes. He also addressed concerns about potential threats to U.S. forces in the region, particularly in Iraq and Syria, and reassured that the U.S. is well-prepared to defend against any aggression.
Ryder declined to discuss specific intelligence related to Iran’s involvement or potential further attacks on Israel but noted that the U.S. takes such threats seriously and remains vigilant. He also refrained from providing details on the deployment timeline for the extended presence of U.S. naval forces in the region, emphasizing that the decision was made to ensure readiness and support for Israel.
The press briefing concluded with Ryder emphasizing that the U.S. is not seeking escalation but is focused on de-escalation, securing a ceasefire, and lowering regional tensions while maintaining robust support for Israel’s defense.–News Desk