Israel has not briefed U.S. military officials on retaliation plans against Iran

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 9, ARMENPRESS. Israeli leaders still have not briefed the United States on specific details of their military response to last week’s ballistic missile attack by Iran, even after American military officials have discussed possibly supporting Israeli retaliation with intelligence or airstrikes of their own, according to two U.S. officials.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday evening, and one former and two current officials familiar with the call said the two discussed potential responses but not Israel’s final decision on what it could do and when. Israeli officials had met Sunday morning to discuss response options, according to two U.S. officials, NBC News reported.

U.S. officials said they do not believe Israel has made a final decision on the specifics of its response.

Gallant was scheduled to meet with Austin in Washington on Wednesday — a trip Gallant initiated — but the trip has now been postponed at the request of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Three U.S. officials had said they were concerned that the Israeli response could come while Gallant was meeting with Austin.