U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Jordan at the beginning of a Middle Eastern tour that includes Israel and Egypt. The visit aims to demonstrate the United States' support for its key allies in the region in the face of the growing threat posed by Iran. The U.S. Department of Defense (the Pentagon) announced prior to the visit that discussions would focus on the increasing threat from Iran to regional stability and strengthening multilateral security cooperation through integrated air and missile defense systems.
The official Pentagon website reported a senior defense official stating that "these threats include what Iran is doing in arming, training, and financing violent groups that operate on its behalf, aggressive operations at sea, cyber threats, its ballistic missile program, and drone attacks."
Austin had preceded the visit with a tweet in which he stated he would meet with senior officials and "reaffirm the United States' commitment to regional stability and enhancing our allies' and partners' shared interests."
He emphasized, "The enduring and strategic partnership between the United States and Jordan is strong. While here, I look forward to collaborating on shared interests that will deliver positive outcomes for both nations."
Reuters reported that during his visit to Israel, Austin would express his concerns about the escalating violence in the West Bank, which has raised concerns in Jordan and among Arab leaders. He will also discuss diplomatic efforts to ease tensions ahead of religious holidays for Muslims and Jews.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that Washington is committed to maintaining its military presence in Iraq during an unannounced visit to the country on Tuesday, nearly 20 years after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
The 2003 invasion resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians and led to a state of instability that ultimately paved the way for the rise of the militant group ISIS after the U.S. withdrew its forces in 2011. Austin, the highest-ranking official in President Biden's administration to visit Iraq, was the last commander of U.S. forces in the country after the invasion.
