Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosts Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin “Benny” Gantz for a bilateral meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Dec. 9, 2021. The two are seated under a photo of them during an April 2021 visit to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, in Israel. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

By  Gary  Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON   –    PENTAGON   –   The top defense officials of the United States and Israel  met Thursday and vowed to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.   U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Israeli Defense Minister Benjamin “Benny” Gantz  held talks at a closed meeting at the Pentagon with Iran a top priority. 

“We share Israel’s deep concerns about the Iranian government’s destabilizing actions, including its support for terrorism and its missile program, and its alarming nuclear advances. We are completely aligned in our commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon — this is a national security interest of the United States and Israel and the world.”

-U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin

U.S. Israeli Defense Ministers Shared Concern Regarding “Aggressive Actions”  of the Iranian government

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosts Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin “Benny” Gantz for a bilateral meeting at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Dec. 9, 2021. (DoD photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

A top priority for both defense leaders was a shared concern regarding the aggressive actions of the Iranian government, the Pentagon said.  Austin  told the Israeli defense minister that the U.S. remains committed to Israel’s ability to continue to defend itself.   “As you know, the United States remains unwavering in its commitment to Israel’s security, including maintaining Israel’s qualitative military edge,” Austin said. Included in that commitment, Austin said, is a strengthening of U.S./Israel bilateral defense cooperation, with an emphasis on air and missile defense. Gantz reminded Austin that it is the government of Iran that Israel is at odds with — not the Iranian people.

“Iran is not just a threat to our physical security. Iran possesses a concrete threat to our way of life, and our shared values. In its aspirations to become a hegemon, Iran seeks to destroy all traces of freedom, human dignity, and peace in the Middle East and beyond.”

–Israeli Minister of Defense Benjamin “Benny” Gantz

Iran’s nuclear program, Gantz said, is its means to achieving its goals both regionally and globally, and he counts on the United States to ensure it doesn’t advance. 

“I am totally confident in the commitment of the administration of the United States as a global power to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons.”

DIPLOMATIC  TIMES  VIDEO     –   Pentagon Press  Secretary John  Kirby briefs reporters at the Pentagon in Washington DC   Dec. 8, 2021.

 Pentagon Says There is Room for Diplomacy with Iran regarding Nuclear Program

At a press briefing,  Pentagon Press  Secretary John  Kirby confirmed U.S. and Israel’s defense ministers planned to discuss “the United States’ commitment to Israel’s security and shared concerns regarding Iran’s nuclear provocations and destabilizing actions in the region.”  Kirby stressed that Defense Secretary Austin  position is that diplomacy for now is the best way to deal with its nuclear program.  

(Photo by Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times)  Pentagon Press  Secretary John  Kirby briefs reporters at the Pentagon in Washington DC

“That as he said, no problem in the Middle East is easier to solve with a nuclear armed Iran. He fully supports the diplomatic effort and outreach that the administration is pursuing in Geneva to try to get back into the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. He believes that diplomacy should absolutely be in the lead. And the Secretary has been and will continue to be clear publicly and privately about how he sees the most appropriate path to pursue an Iran that doesn’t have a nuclear weapon. But as you also know, his job is to defend this nation. His job is to look after our national security interest in that part of the world, every part of the world. “

-Pentagon Press Secretary  Kirby