Lloyd Austin’s visit and American commitment to Israel

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On Sunday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declared an enduring and ironclad American commitment to Israel. He reinforced support at a critical time in Israeli politics about the Biden administration’s efforts to revive nuclear negotiations with Iran. Austin’s first talks in Israel came as the United States seeks to leverage Middle East diplomatic progress made by the Trump administration since he became Pentagon chief in January. Austin delivered his words after meeting with Defense Minister Benny Gantz in Tel Aviv. He said, “Our commitment to Israel is enduring and ironclad”, but didn’t mention Iran. Gantz said, “His country views the United States as a full partner against threats, not the least, Iran. The Tehran of today presents a strategic threat to international security, the entire Middle East and to the state of Israel”.

Gantz added, “We will work closely with our American allies to ensure that any new agreement with Iran, will secure the vital interests of the world and of the United States, prevent a dangerous arms race in our region, and protect the state of Israel”. A senior fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies, Yoel Guzansky said, ”Austin’s visit is important in part because it is the first by a member of President Joe Biden s Cabinet. They want to show that they did come here with clean hands and they want to listen. They want to listen to Israel’s worries and perhaps other partners’ worries about the negotiation about Iran”. Austin served 4 years as head of US Central Command, capping a 41-year Army career that included commanding US forces in Iraq.

The major backdrop to Austin’s visit is the Israeli government’s concern about the Biden administration’s attempt to work out an arrangement to reenter the Iran nuclear deal. Netanyahu has for years described Iran as an existential threat to his nation due to Iran’s alleged pursuit of a nuclear weapon and its support for militant groups like Lebanon’s Hezbollah. He has alleged Iran of seeking nuclear weapons to use with its ballistic missiles. Iran has maintained its nuclear program is peaceful. Last week, Netanyahu said, “History has taught us that deals like this, with extremist regimes like this, are worth nothing”. Last week, an Iranian ship said to be acting as a Revolutionary Guard base off the coast of Yemen was struck by an explosion. Iran blamed Israel for the blast.