This evening (Thursday) Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the U.S. Embassy in Brussels. Minister Gallant was joined by the Director of the Policy and POL-MIL Bureau Dror Shalom, Military Secretary B.G. Yaki Dolf and Chief of Staff to the Minister of Defense Shachar Katz.
The Minister and Secretary of Defense discussed the progress in security and military coordination between Israel and the United States regarding the Iranian issue, with the aim of preventing Iran from gaining military nuclear capabilities.
Minister Gallant also raised the challenges faced by the State of Israel as a result of Iranian aggression via regional proxies in Syria, Lebanon, Gaza and Judea and Samaria. In this regard, Minister Gallant emphasized the right of the State of Israel to defend itself against any threat.
Minister Gallant touched on ways to further deepen defense and military cooperation between the countries. The parties agreed on the need to increase the number of joint military exercises including the IDF and CENTCOM troops.
The Minister concluded by expressing his appreciation to Secretary Austin for his commitment to the security and qualitative military edge of the State of Israel, and for his contribution to the powerful ties between the respective defense establishments and countries.