PENTAGON PRESS SECRETARY MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: All right. Well, good morning. Just a few things at the top then I’ll get right to your questions. First of all, Secretary Austin conducted several calls over the weekend, per the readouts that we issued. So, just to recap, he spoke to Saudi Minister of Defense His Royal Highness Khalid bin Salman Friday evening Eastern Time to discuss regional security challenges and our mutual interest in deterring aggression and reducing tensions across the region.
Additionally, Secretary Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Saturday and Sunday evenings Eastern Time. The call on Saturday came following a barrage of rocket attacks by Lebanese Hezbollah into northern Israel, while the call on Sunday afforded the Secretary the opportunity to receive an update on the exchange of fires between Israel and LH.
During both calls, Secretary Austin reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself as Hezbollah extends its attacks deeper into Israel. He stressed the importance of finding a path to a diplomatic solution that will allow residents on both sides of the border to return to their homes as quickly and safely as possible, as well as reaching a Gaza ceasefire deal that will bring all of the hostages home. The Secretary also made clear that the United States remains postured to protect US forces and personnel in the region.
And finally, switching gears, Secretary Austin will travel Wednesday to London in the United Kingdom to participate in the third AUKUS Defense Ministerial meeting on Thursday, September 26th. In London, he’ll meet with his UK and Australian counterparts to discuss and build upon the great progress that’s been made during the three years since AUKUS, the historic trilateral security partnership between the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, was established with the aim of bolstering each country’s security and defense interests and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
With that, happy to take your questions. Tara?
Q: Good morning. So, with Israel’s strikes into Lebanon, are there any restrictions that the US is putting on the munitions it’s providing Israel or Israel has purchased? Because it seems to carry just as much risk as the munitions that we are providing Ukraine in terms of, like, starting a larger regional war.
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Yeah. So, I mean, just to answer your question right up front, beyond the shipment of 2,000 pound bombs, I’m not aware of any additional changes. We continue to provide security assistance to Israel in support of their self-defense.
To your latter point, you know, per the readouts that I’ve highlighted, we continue to consult closely with Israel and others in the region to prevent this from becoming a wider regional war. And so, definitely want to see temperatures be reduced and escalation be reduced. So, we’ll continue to work toward that end. But no change in our posture, to my knowledge, as it relates to security assistance for Israel.
Q: It seems like the back to back Saturday to Sunday calls kind of reflect that the Secretary is getting increasingly concerned about a wider regional war. Is that true?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Well, the Secretary’s been concerned about a wider regional war since October 7th of last year. And, you know, he has very much appreciated the relationship that he has with Minister Gallant, to be able to stay connected, to get up to date information about the situation. It’s not unusual, as we’ve in the past seen the potential for escalation increase, for them to communicate more regularly.
So, you know, of course, with tensions escalating, it’s been important to the Secretary to be in touch, to have a good understanding of the situation there, but also to communicate the key points that I’ve highlighted, which is the importance for a ceasefire, the importance of getting the hostages home and the importance of taking steps to resolve this diplomatically versus escalating into a wider conflict.
Yeah?
Q: I wanted to ask, there’s reports of potential headway made with the S-400 potentially opening up the door to get F-35s back to Turkey. Do you have any insights on where that stands right now?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: I really don’t, Ashley. I don’t have any updates to provide. I’d refer you to State Department for that.
Q: Thanks.
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Thanks.
Q: Thank you, General. So, what is the current understanding of this — Israeli widening their operation so far in the last few hours, when they started launching these strikes across Lebanon. More than — according to the Lebanese Health Ministry, more than 274 have been killed, including 21, I think, children, 39 women. We’ve seen videos of evacuation routes being targeted, civilian infrastructure, hospitals, medical centers and ambulances.
Is this a precursor for a land invasion? What is your current assessment and understanding based on your conversation with the Israelis?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Well, I certainly won’t talk about potential future operations for Israel. That’s really something for them to address. We’ve been very clear in our conversations with our Israeli partners about the importance of de-escalating tensions, understanding, as I highlighted, that they’re in a situation where we’ve seen Lebanese Hezbollah conduct strikes deeper into Israel than they have before.
We firmly support Israel’s right to defend itself, but we believe that the way ahead should be resolving this through diplomatic means, to include, you know, working to ensure that people on both sides of the border, as I highlighted, can return home. And so, again, that will continue to be our main focus.
And as far as Israel’s operations, again, I’d refer you to them in terms of the focus. Our understanding is, again, they’re going after Lebanese Hezbollah targets, but I’ll allow them to speak for themselves in terms of their effectiveness and strength.
Q: So, in the light of last week’s events and specifically today, is your assessment — does it remain that the conflict is still contained in Gaza?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: So, clearly, the tensions in the Middle East right now are high. The tit for tat activity that we’ve seen between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah since October 8th of last year, it has escalated this week, clearly. And that’s concerning, and this is why, again, you continue to see, you know, not only the Department of Defense but other US government officials engaging with their partners and governments throughout the region to reduce those tensions.
As it pertains to Israel’s operations against Hamas, yes, those are still, you know, we would assess contained to Gaza. But clearly, there is the potential for these tit for tat operations between Israel and LH to escalate and to potentially spiral out of control into a wider regional war, which is why it’s so important that we resolve this situation through diplomacy, but also get a ceasefire deal as soon as possible and get the hostages released, which we see as key to helping to lower temperatures.
Q: Can I follow up?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Then the last one, and then I gotta —
Q: Yeah. Yeah, just a follow up note just to clarify something, because, I mean, this was a part of the political objectives of this administration, to contain the conflict and as part of deterrence as well with all the resources in the region. So, from that point of view, do you
still see that objective being achieved? And that’s why I’m asking you whether you still think it is contained to Gaza.
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Well, if the question is do we see this as a wider regional war, no, I don’t think we’ve gotten to that point. I mean, what you don’t see is multiple nations conducting operations against one another in the region and you know, and protracted, sustained operations.
What you see is Israel conducting operations in Gaza in response to Hamas’s attack on October 7th. You see Israel conducting operations to defend itself against Lebanese Hezbollah missile attacks that started on October 8th when LH conducted those attacks. So, you know, they’re facing a series of threats from within the region, and the US continues to work with our regional partners and Israel to support their defense.
Given the tensions, given the escalation, as I highlighted, there is the potential for a wider, you know, regional conflict. I don’t think we’re there yet, but it’s a dangerous situation. And this is why it’s so important that we continue to communicate and continue to work together to promote and find a diplomatic way ahead.
Q: Thank you.
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Natasha?
Q: Thank you. Is there any assessment by the department of just how much Hezbollah has been weakened over the last week after the pager attacks, the walkie-talkie attacks, and now the airstrikes in Lebanon? And also, should we anticipate any kind of surge capabilities in the Middle East being sent by DOD in light of the increased tensions? I think there was a report last week that additional aircraft carriers were being sent to the region.
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: So, on your first question, you know, I’m not prepared to go into any type of intelligence on the specific impacts against LH. You know, clearly, and they’ve said this publicly, it had an impact, and I’ll just leave it there.
As far as any additional — I’m sorry. Your — the second question was?
Q: Any, like, surging capabilities to the region?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: No significant announcements to make. I will say, in light of increased tension in the Middle East and out of an abundance of caution, we are sending a small number of additional US military personnel forward to augment our forces that are already in the region. But for operation security reasons, I’m not going to comment on or provide specifics.
Q: Can you give just a — like, are we talking ground troops? Are these ships, aircraft?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Just a small number of forces. That’s all I can provide.
Q: General?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Yeah.
Q: Thank you. Last week Pentagon and others said that the US didn’t have a heads up on the pager attack, presumably the walkie-talkie attack as well. Did the department have any sense that this new wave of strikes today would occur? And if not, is that a concern?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: You know, in the course of conversations with the Israelis, they have, you know, given us indication that they will be conducting these operations in, you know, defense of Israel, but not providing specifics on that.
Yeah?
Q: Thank you, General. The US embassy in Beirut has asked all American citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible. Is there any plan, or have you received any request from the State Department to have a plan to evacuate all American citizens out of Lebanon? And also, do you have, like, an accurate number about how many Americans are in Lebanon right now?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Yeah. For your last question, I’d have to refer you to State, Joe. That’s something that they would track, you know, as people self-report.
In terms of a potential evacuation, you know, nothing to announce at this time. As you know, State Department will be the lead on that. We’re a planning organization. We obviously plan for a variety of contingencies. But, you know, that obviously has not been something that State Department has called for at this time.
Q: Another quick question. We all know that there are few American troops in Lebanon working with the LAF. Could you update us how many, if there are any American troops inside Lebanon? And if yes, how many are they?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: I don’t have that. I’d have to refer you to CENTCOM to get an update on that.
Courtney?
Q: When was the decision made to send the small number of additional troops in?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: I don’t have any specifics to provide, Courtney, other than, again, it’s just going to be a small number of forces just to augment our forces that are already in the region.
Q: And given what Joe just mentioned about the recommendation for Americans, are they specifically going forward to help with a potential evacuation? Are they going more for force protection? Like, what kind of — you said it was given the recent developments. So, like, what specifically are they going forward for, if you can’t tell us what kind of troops they are?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Yeah. Again, for operations and security reasons, I’m just not going to be able to provide any details. You know, we are obviously committed to the safety and security of US forces and Americans in the region. As I highlighted at the top, that’s not going to change. It’ll never change.
But as it relates to any questions on, you know, potential, you know, contingency planning or NEO operations, like I said, you’d have to talk to State Department. Nothing to announce at this point, though.
Q: At the end of the statement — or the readout of the Secretary’s call with the Israeli defense minister said that the Secretary made it clear that the US is postured to — remains posture to protect US forces and personnel and determined to deter regional actors. So, I’m wondering if — first off, can you lay out what is the posture that that is referring to? Like, what are the specific — I guess what are the assets that you have there that are there postured specifically for protecting forces and personnel? I’m not asking you to lay out every single C-RAM or anything, but the things that have moved in for this personnel enhancement.
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Yeah. No, I mean, we’ve talked ad nauseam about the forces and the capabilities that we have throughout the region, you know, to include —
Q: But where are we today would be helpful.
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Yeah, or where we were, you know, before. I mean, you’ve got the DDGs. You’ve got, you know, air defense capabilities throughout the region. You’ve got the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. We’ve got fighter aircraft throughout the region. So, you know, as we have been — and you’ve heard Secretary Austin talk about this. We have more capability in the region today than we did on April 14th when Iran conducted its drone and missile attack against Israel. So, all of those forces combined provide us with the options to be able to protect our forces should they be attacked.
Will?
Q: On Ukraine, the latest CR proposal still doesn’t extend the $5.8 billion PDA authorization. Is there any progress being made on that with Congress? Kind of where does it go from here?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Yeah. I mean, I don’t have any specific updates to provide other than, you know, we’ll continue to work with Congress to seek the extension of those authorities.
Okay. Carla?
Q: So, just to make sure I’ve got everything clear, there are forces in the region that are capable of conducting a NEO, if called upon?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: I mean, again, we’re a planning organization, Carla. You know, you’ve worked with us long enough to know that we maintain lots of plans for a wide variety of contingencies. Should we need to do a — you know, should we be called upon, we’ll be ready to do so. So —
Q: And then on Natasha’s carrier question, there is no plan at this point to put a second carrier?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: You know, I don’t have anything to announce in terms of additional carriers. You know, as a matter of policy, we’re not going to talk about potential or actual future deployments.
Q: And then last one on a totally different topic. Our Korean service is hearing from South Koreans that the North Koreans are preparing to launch a seventh nuclear test during the election. Do you have intelligence that matches that? Are there concerns about North Korea’s increased nuclear activity?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Don’t have any — you know, I’m not going to talk about intelligence. You know, I will say that this isn’t the first time we’ve heard those kinds of threats emanating from North Korea. We’ll continue to work closely with our regional partners to, you know, work towards regional security and stability. And that kind of rhetoric is, of course, destabilizing. But, you know, we’ll continue to be prepared to work with others in the event something like that were to happen.
Q: So, do you have any indication that Israel is preparing for, like, a ground offensive in Lebanon, or do you think it’s still contained to these cross-border fires and strikes?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: I mean, again, that’s really a question for Israel to address. I will tell you right now, you know, what we’ve seen is that — as I highlighted earlier, these tit for tat types of strikes across the border. Again, we’ve been very clear, working with partners in the region, to include Israel, that we believe that the way to reduce tensions and to get people home is through diplomatic means. And so, we’ll continue to work toward making that happen.
Phil?
Q: Quick question — I know you can’t say more about the forces that are deploying, but can you say it’s dozens or hundreds or —
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: It’s just a small number, just to, again, augment the forces that we already have. And I can’t get more specific than that.
Q: And on the issue of these Israeli activities in Lebanon, would you categorize them as defensive, the ones that we’ve seen over the past week? And is that definition of whether they’re defensive important in the US ability to sustain them?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: You’re talking about the Israeli airstrikes?
Q: Israeli.
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: I mean, you know, the Israelis, again, I’ll let them speak to their operations, have indicated that many of these strikes were taken against rockets that were being prepared to be fired into Israel. So, by that definition, defensive in nature.
I think we’ve heard from, you know, both LH and Israel say publicly that neither side wants this to escalate into a full scale war. We don’t think that that is a good idea either. And again, that’s why we’re going to continue to promote and encourage resolution of these tensions through diplomatic means.
Take a few more. Yes, Jared.
Q: I know that the preferred method by the United States is through diplomatic means to resolve this border crisis. But does the department believe that Israel can achieve its objectives potentially via an air campaign alone, with or without diplomacy?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Again, I’m not going to provide a, you know, a running critique of their operations, other than to say again, I think, no one wants to see a wider regional conflict happen. We think that the best way to get people back into their homes on both sides of the border is to lower the temperatures, deescalate and work towards a diplomatic means.
You know, and again, part of the risk here is miscalculation and the potential for this spiraling into a wider regional conflict. And so, again, we’ll continue to encourage resolution through diplomatic means.
Q: It was stated late last week that the Truman was leaving today with the striker group? Is it leaving?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: I’d have to refer you to the Navy for any questions about the status of their vessels. But again, I don’t have anything to announce.
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Yeah. Okay, last question. Charlie?
Q: Thank you. I know that the United States has not been involved in intercepting any of these rockets or the increased cruise missiles, etc. Are they helping in any other way to track them? Are they providing any sort of support, any ISR? And secondly, have you seen any activity from Iran in light of what’s happened with Hezbollah?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: You know, on Iran, you know, short answer is no in terms of, if you’re talking, like, kinetic activity. Again, they’ve made the threat previously to do that. So, again, we’re taking that seriously, which is, to Courtney’s earlier question, one of the reasons that we’re maintaining the significant amount of capability in the region, to be able to deter but also protect our forces if they’re attacked.
As far as Israel’s operations, the US is not involved in planning or supporting Israel as it conducts its operations. We’re obviously supporting the defense of Israel, should they be threatened or attacked and call upon us for support, which could include the kinds of scenarios you saw on April 14, when Iran conducted its drone and missile attack.
Q: Right. I guess that’s what I’m referring to. Are we in that position now in terms of helping to track incoming?
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: I mean, we’re certainly keeping the lines of communication open with Israel in terms of helping them protect and defend themselves. But I thought your question was are you helping them in terms of, you know, planning and conducting
Q: No, not necessarily target acquisition in Lebanon, but whatever is coming into Israel.
MAJOR GENERAL RYDER: Yeah. I mean, again, longstanding security cooperation relationship with Israel to be able to share information to enable them to defend themselves.
All right. Thanks very much, everyone. Appreciate it.
