1 00:00:01,289 --> 00:00:05,219 You just get settled here . Ok , good 2 00:00:05,230 --> 00:00:07,900 afternoon . Uh Just a few things at the 3 00:00:07,909 --> 00:00:10,289 top and then happy to jump in and take 4 00:00:10,300 --> 00:00:12,710 your questions . Um As you know , on 5 00:00:12,720 --> 00:00:14,887 Wednesday , Secretary Austin concluded 6 00:00:14,887 --> 00:00:17,659 his 11th trip to the Indo Pacific with 7 00:00:17,670 --> 00:00:19,860 stops in Tokyo , Japan and Manila 8 00:00:19,870 --> 00:00:21,426 Philippines . The secretary 9 00:00:21,426 --> 00:00:23,481 participated in a series of historic 10 00:00:23,481 --> 00:00:25,703 engagements as part of the department's 11 00:00:25,703 --> 00:00:27,259 ongoing work to bolster our 12 00:00:27,259 --> 00:00:29,670 partnerships and alliances to advance a 13 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:31,639 shared vision of regional peace , 14 00:00:31,649 --> 00:00:34,520 stability and deterrence . Highlights 15 00:00:34,529 --> 00:00:36,529 from the trip included two plus two 16 00:00:36,529 --> 00:00:38,696 meetings with the secretary's Japanese 17 00:00:38,696 --> 00:00:40,862 and Philippine counterparts as well as 18 00:00:40,862 --> 00:00:42,919 a historic first ever trilateral 19 00:00:42,930 --> 00:00:45,119 ministerial meeting between the US , 20 00:00:45,130 --> 00:00:48,529 Japan and the Rock . Additionally , the 21 00:00:48,540 --> 00:00:50,651 secretary made a trip to Subic Bay in 22 00:00:50,651 --> 00:00:52,540 the Philippines where he met with 23 00:00:52,540 --> 00:00:54,707 service members and dod personnel hard 24 00:00:54,707 --> 00:00:56,707 at work , strengthening our defense 25 00:00:56,707 --> 00:00:58,762 industrial bases . Like never before 26 00:00:58,762 --> 00:01:00,984 the Secretary's 11th trip to the region 27 00:01:00,984 --> 00:01:02,984 highlighted yet again how under the 28 00:01:02,984 --> 00:01:04,707 leadership of the Biden Harris 29 00:01:04,707 --> 00:01:06,818 administration , the United States is 30 00:01:06,818 --> 00:01:09,040 delivering historic results in the Indo 31 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:10,762 Pacific , the United States is 32 00:01:10,762 --> 00:01:12,929 operating with our partners and allies 33 00:01:12,929 --> 00:01:15,262 more closely and more capably than ever . 34 00:01:15,262 --> 00:01:17,484 And together we are working to ensure a 35 00:01:17,484 --> 00:01:20,519 free and open . Indo Pacific switching 36 00:01:20,529 --> 00:01:22,889 gears . Secretary Austin spoke with 37 00:01:22,900 --> 00:01:24,900 Israeli Minister of Defense Gallant 38 00:01:24,900 --> 00:01:26,956 this morning about the destabilizing 39 00:01:26,956 --> 00:01:29,122 threats posed by Iran its partners and 40 00:01:29,122 --> 00:01:31,099 proxies . The secretary reiterated 41 00:01:31,110 --> 00:01:33,660 ironclads support for Israel's security 42 00:01:33,669 --> 00:01:35,891 and informed the minister of additional 43 00:01:35,891 --> 00:01:38,470 measures to include ongoing and future 44 00:01:38,480 --> 00:01:41,120 defensive force posture changes that 45 00:01:41,129 --> 00:01:43,351 the department will take to support the 46 00:01:43,351 --> 00:01:45,569 defense of Israel . Secretary Austin 47 00:01:45,580 --> 00:01:47,930 highlighted that further escalation is 48 00:01:47,940 --> 00:01:50,269 not inevitable and that all countries 49 00:01:50,279 --> 00:01:52,390 in the region would benefit from a de 50 00:01:52,390 --> 00:01:54,612 escalation intentions including through 51 00:01:54,612 --> 00:01:56,835 completing a Gaza ceasefire and hostage 52 00:01:56,835 --> 00:01:59,069 release deal . He also stressed that 53 00:01:59,080 --> 00:02:01,339 the unprecedented scale of us support 54 00:02:01,349 --> 00:02:03,769 for Israel since October 7th should 55 00:02:03,779 --> 00:02:06,250 leave Iran Lebanese Hezbollah and other 56 00:02:06,260 --> 00:02:08,482 Iranian backed terrorist groups with no 57 00:02:08,482 --> 00:02:12,029 doubt about us resolve switching gears . 58 00:02:12,199 --> 00:02:14,199 The Senate this week confirmed more 59 00:02:14,199 --> 00:02:16,421 than 3000 officers nominated throughout 60 00:02:16,421 --> 00:02:18,421 the Air Force , Army Marine Corps , 61 00:02:18,421 --> 00:02:20,699 Navy and Space uh Space Force . The 62 00:02:20,708 --> 00:02:22,652 Senate also fully confirmed Doctor 63 00:02:22,652 --> 00:02:24,486 Michael Sulmeyer to be Assistant 64 00:02:24,486 --> 00:02:26,597 Secretary of Defense for cyber policy 65 00:02:27,009 --> 00:02:29,231 together , they will all continue to be 66 00:02:29,231 --> 00:02:31,342 great leaders within our , within our 67 00:02:31,342 --> 00:02:33,398 department and will ensure we remain 68 00:02:33,398 --> 00:02:35,565 the finest military in the world . The 69 00:02:35,565 --> 00:02:37,620 Senate Armed Services Committee also 70 00:02:37,620 --> 00:02:39,453 voted this week to advance Tanya 71 00:02:39,453 --> 00:02:41,676 Wilkinson nominee to be under Secretary 72 00:02:41,676 --> 00:02:43,453 of Defense for Intelligence and 73 00:02:43,453 --> 00:02:45,509 Security . We now urge the Senate to 74 00:02:45,509 --> 00:02:47,287 confirm all of our civilian and 75 00:02:47,287 --> 00:02:49,509 military nominees waiting for action on 76 00:02:49,509 --> 00:02:51,453 the Senate floor , excuse me . And 77 00:02:51,453 --> 00:02:53,620 finally , the Department of Defense in 78 00:02:53,620 --> 00:02:55,620 coordinating with the Department of 79 00:02:55,620 --> 00:02:57,731 Veterans Affairs , developed airborne 80 00:02:57,731 --> 00:02:59,842 hazards and open burn pit registry to 81 00:02:59,842 --> 00:03:02,009 assist service members and veterans in 82 00:03:02,009 --> 00:03:03,898 documenting potential exposure to 83 00:03:03,898 --> 00:03:05,731 airborne hazards during overseas 84 00:03:05,731 --> 00:03:08,369 deployment . The va announced updates 85 00:03:08,380 --> 00:03:10,660 to the burn pit registry yesterday and 86 00:03:10,669 --> 00:03:12,891 registry updates will now allow service 87 00:03:12,891 --> 00:03:14,947 members and veterans to provide more 88 00:03:14,947 --> 00:03:16,725 feedback , expand participation 89 00:03:16,725 --> 00:03:18,559 criteria automatically include 90 00:03:18,570 --> 00:03:20,740 participants and simplify registry 91 00:03:20,750 --> 00:03:23,610 requirements to learn more . Visit the 92 00:03:23,619 --> 00:03:26,210 registry site at www dot public 93 00:03:26,220 --> 00:03:29,250 health.va.gov . And with that , I'd be 94 00:03:29,259 --> 00:03:31,370 happy to take your questions , Tara , 95 00:03:31,509 --> 00:03:33,676 why don't you start us off ? Yeah . Um 96 00:03:33,830 --> 00:03:36,052 I wanted to ask about the Middle East . 97 00:03:36,320 --> 00:03:38,250 What if any sort of contingency 98 00:03:38,259 --> 00:03:40,610 planning is occurring to assist 99 00:03:40,619 --> 00:03:42,508 Americans in evacuation if that's 100 00:03:42,508 --> 00:03:44,850 needed ? And what types of force 101 00:03:44,860 --> 00:03:47,270 posture changes are being considered to 102 00:03:47,279 --> 00:03:49,630 better protect troops if this escalates ? 103 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:52,789 I'll take the uh second question first . 104 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:54,744 So , um as you know , and as we've 105 00:03:54,744 --> 00:03:57,050 demonstrated since October and again in 106 00:03:57,059 --> 00:03:59,320 April , the United states' global 107 00:03:59,330 --> 00:04:01,830 Defense is dynamic and the department 108 00:04:01,839 --> 00:04:03,929 retains the capability to deploy on 109 00:04:04,125 --> 00:04:05,958 notice to meet evolving national 110 00:04:05,958 --> 00:04:09,235 security threats . Um So as a result , 111 00:04:09,335 --> 00:04:11,113 the secretary will be directing 112 00:04:11,113 --> 00:04:13,684 multiple forthcoming f force posture 113 00:04:13,695 --> 00:04:16,135 moves to bolster force protection for 114 00:04:16,144 --> 00:04:18,505 us forces region wide to provide 115 00:04:18,515 --> 00:04:20,459 elevated support to the defense of 116 00:04:20,459 --> 00:04:22,626 Israel and to ensure the United States 117 00:04:22,626 --> 00:04:24,848 is prepared to respond to this evolving 118 00:04:24,848 --> 00:04:27,015 crisis in terms of what specifics that 119 00:04:27,015 --> 00:04:29,237 means . I don't have that for you right 120 00:04:29,237 --> 00:04:31,404 now . Um again , that's something that 121 00:04:31,404 --> 00:04:33,626 the secretary will be um directing at a 122 00:04:33,626 --> 00:04:35,571 later time . But when we have more 123 00:04:35,571 --> 00:04:37,793 specifics , I'll certainly come back to 124 00:04:37,793 --> 00:04:39,571 you . Um , in terms of planning 125 00:04:39,571 --> 00:04:41,793 measures , we are planning organization 126 00:04:41,793 --> 00:04:43,959 as I know you've heard us say before . 127 00:04:43,959 --> 00:04:45,793 Um So I'm not going to engage in 128 00:04:45,793 --> 00:04:47,737 hypotheticals , but of course , we 129 00:04:47,737 --> 00:04:50,015 always have contingency plans in place . 130 00:04:50,015 --> 00:04:52,126 Um But again , just not gonna go down 131 00:04:52,126 --> 00:04:54,182 the hypothetical route . So , on the 132 00:04:54,182 --> 00:04:56,348 force posture changes though , you say 133 00:04:56,348 --> 00:04:58,404 at a later date , are we talking , I 134 00:04:58,404 --> 00:05:00,571 mean , within hours within a couple of 135 00:05:00,571 --> 00:05:02,737 days by this weekend ? And would these 136 00:05:02,737 --> 00:05:04,571 troops be being pulled from Indo 137 00:05:04,571 --> 00:05:06,626 Pacific or are these domestic forces 138 00:05:06,626 --> 00:05:09,170 that would be sent i in terms of 139 00:05:09,179 --> 00:05:11,640 specific troops or capabilities ? Again , 140 00:05:11,649 --> 00:05:13,538 this is something that's with the 141 00:05:13,538 --> 00:05:15,538 secretary and the secretary will be 142 00:05:15,538 --> 00:05:17,649 deciding . Um I don't have a specific 143 00:05:17,649 --> 00:05:19,593 timeline for you once we have more 144 00:05:19,593 --> 00:05:21,649 information . Um as you know , we'll 145 00:05:21,649 --> 00:05:23,593 certainly provide it . But at this 146 00:05:23,593 --> 00:05:23,239 moment , I just don't , I just don't 147 00:05:23,250 --> 00:05:25,899 have that . I just want to be clear 148 00:05:25,910 --> 00:05:28,077 here yesterday , President Biden spoke 149 00:05:28,077 --> 00:05:30,243 with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 150 00:05:30,243 --> 00:05:32,410 and spoke of and I quote here , uh new 151 00:05:32,410 --> 00:05:34,410 defensive us military deployments , 152 00:05:34,410 --> 00:05:36,632 those haven't been ordered yet . He was 153 00:05:36,632 --> 00:05:38,688 speaking hypothetically yesterday or 154 00:05:38,688 --> 00:05:40,521 has , have they been decided and 155 00:05:40,521 --> 00:05:42,743 ordered ? At this point , the secretary 156 00:05:42,743 --> 00:05:44,966 and the president have been in close um 157 00:05:44,966 --> 00:05:47,450 uh conversations about this . Uh The 158 00:05:47,459 --> 00:05:49,790 secretary will be directing forthcoming 159 00:05:49,799 --> 00:05:52,880 force posture uh moves to bolster our 160 00:05:52,890 --> 00:05:55,179 force protection . Um So there's a 161 00:05:55,190 --> 00:05:57,660 commitment that was made in the call 162 00:05:57,670 --> 00:05:59,781 with the President and Prime Minister 163 00:05:59,781 --> 00:06:01,559 Netanyahu . Um in terms of what 164 00:06:01,559 --> 00:06:03,281 specific units , what specific 165 00:06:03,281 --> 00:06:05,337 capabilities , that's something that 166 00:06:05,337 --> 00:06:07,503 the secretary will decide . Um I don't 167 00:06:07,503 --> 00:06:09,503 have an exact timeline of , of when 168 00:06:09,503 --> 00:06:11,503 that decision will be made . Um But 169 00:06:11,503 --> 00:06:11,260 that was a commitment that the 170 00:06:11,269 --> 00:06:13,459 President reiterated to Prime Minister 171 00:06:13,470 --> 00:06:15,414 Netanyahu that you saw on the call 172 00:06:15,414 --> 00:06:17,526 yesterday . And again , the secretary 173 00:06:17,526 --> 00:06:19,359 reiterated that in his call with 174 00:06:19,359 --> 00:06:19,019 Minister Gallant , that happened 175 00:06:19,029 --> 00:06:21,196 earlier this morning and , and just to 176 00:06:21,196 --> 00:06:23,251 be clear on the wording here because 177 00:06:23,251 --> 00:06:25,473 the word defensive is very prominent in 178 00:06:25,473 --> 00:06:27,640 what you're saying . There are no , it 179 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:29,696 is purely defensive . Is this ground 180 00:06:29,696 --> 00:06:31,862 based air defenses ? Is it , is it air 181 00:06:31,862 --> 00:06:34,085 defenses based on destroyers and you're 182 00:06:34,085 --> 00:06:36,418 not shifting any offensive capabilities ? 183 00:06:36,418 --> 00:06:38,362 So appreciate the question . Um So 184 00:06:38,362 --> 00:06:39,918 again , these are defensive 185 00:06:39,918 --> 00:06:43,070 capabilities um as we have done before 186 00:06:43,209 --> 00:06:45,750 since October 7th and what we did on 187 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:48,519 April 13th , all of our capabilities 188 00:06:48,529 --> 00:06:50,585 that we have there in the region are 189 00:06:50,585 --> 00:06:53,420 defensive and to um send a message of 190 00:06:53,429 --> 00:06:56,500 deterrence . Um the secretary on his 191 00:06:56,510 --> 00:06:58,677 call committed to Minister Galant that 192 00:06:58,760 --> 00:07:00,649 the United States will stand with 193 00:07:00,649 --> 00:07:02,871 Israel in their self defense . So these 194 00:07:02,871 --> 00:07:04,816 would be defensive capabilities if 195 00:07:04,816 --> 00:07:08,380 needed . Yeah , Phil , um just a couple 196 00:07:08,390 --> 00:07:10,557 of follow ups of a little just to be . 197 00:07:10,557 --> 00:07:12,890 So the secretary has not yet decided on , 198 00:07:12,890 --> 00:07:15,112 on what capabilities to deploy . Um But 199 00:07:15,112 --> 00:07:17,001 does that mean also that he's not 200 00:07:17,001 --> 00:07:19,279 necessarily decided whether , you know , 201 00:07:19,279 --> 00:07:21,112 additional , whether there are , 202 00:07:21,112 --> 00:07:23,168 there's a need for additional forces 203 00:07:23,168 --> 00:07:25,112 beyond what's already uh in in the 204 00:07:25,112 --> 00:07:27,057 region right now . And I'm talking 205 00:07:27,057 --> 00:07:29,223 about , you know , uh additional , you 206 00:07:29,223 --> 00:07:28,570 know , even if there were like , you 207 00:07:28,579 --> 00:07:30,468 know , some troops rotating in or 208 00:07:30,468 --> 00:07:32,523 rotating now additional like kind of 209 00:07:32,523 --> 00:07:34,635 the status quo as it stands , not the 210 00:07:34,635 --> 00:07:36,468 actual units . So there could be 211 00:07:36,468 --> 00:07:38,412 additional units that come in with 212 00:07:38,412 --> 00:07:38,273 additional capabilities as those 213 00:07:38,282 --> 00:07:40,449 capabilities would need to be operated 214 00:07:40,449 --> 00:07:42,752 by additional people . Um But again , 215 00:07:42,763 --> 00:07:44,485 I'm not gonna get ahead of any 216 00:07:44,485 --> 00:07:46,541 decisions that the secretary has not 217 00:07:46,541 --> 00:07:48,613 made yet . Um All I can tell you is 218 00:07:48,622 --> 00:07:52,312 that um he uh in his call with 219 00:07:52,322 --> 00:07:56,115 Minister Cola committed to bolster 220 00:07:56,126 --> 00:07:58,348 force protection in the region . And of 221 00:07:58,348 --> 00:08:00,182 course , as , as Oren was saying 222 00:08:00,182 --> 00:08:02,286 earlier , um you know , additional 223 00:08:02,295 --> 00:08:04,351 defensive capabilities if needed for 224 00:08:04,351 --> 00:08:06,406 the support of Israel , I guess what 225 00:08:06,406 --> 00:08:08,628 I'm trying to understand is , does that 226 00:08:08,628 --> 00:08:10,795 mean a plus up or , or not in terms of 227 00:08:10,795 --> 00:08:12,906 overall us forces and capabilities in 228 00:08:12,906 --> 00:08:14,962 the region ? It certainly could mean 229 00:08:14,962 --> 00:08:18,305 additional capabilities and people in 230 00:08:18,316 --> 00:08:20,427 the region as those people would have 231 00:08:20,427 --> 00:08:22,594 to operate if the secretary decides to 232 00:08:22,609 --> 00:08:25,739 um you know , include more 233 00:08:26,890 --> 00:08:29,057 defensive capabilities , they're going 234 00:08:29,057 --> 00:08:31,112 to need to be operated by additional 235 00:08:31,112 --> 00:08:33,168 people . So again , I don't have the 236 00:08:33,168 --> 00:08:35,279 decision yet from the secretary , the 237 00:08:35,279 --> 00:08:38,250 secretary . Um Is it something that he , 238 00:08:38,260 --> 00:08:40,590 you know he's going to continue to 239 00:08:40,599 --> 00:08:43,239 weigh and when we have more to read out , 240 00:08:43,250 --> 00:08:46,429 we certainly will Tony of the units 241 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:48,607 that are already in the region . Is it 242 00:08:48,607 --> 00:08:50,551 possible the secretary would order 243 00:08:50,551 --> 00:08:52,780 repositioning of the 24th mew and the 244 00:08:52,789 --> 00:08:55,011 Theodore Roosevelt carrier battle group 245 00:08:55,011 --> 00:08:58,789 from the Gulf of Oman up this Red Sea 246 00:08:58,940 --> 00:09:02,520 through the Strait of Suez Canal to uh 247 00:09:02,530 --> 00:09:04,641 off of Israel and Lebanon . Is that a 248 00:09:04,641 --> 00:09:06,752 possibility ? So you have to remember 249 00:09:06,752 --> 00:09:09,440 that the , that the ARG has always been 250 00:09:09,450 --> 00:09:11,061 operating within the Eastern 251 00:09:11,061 --> 00:09:13,172 Mediterranean . So she remains in the 252 00:09:13,172 --> 00:09:15,283 Eastern Mediterranean . And just like 253 00:09:15,283 --> 00:09:17,228 we saw with the Eisenhower carrier 254 00:09:17,228 --> 00:09:19,450 strike group that was in um the Centcom 255 00:09:19,450 --> 00:09:21,695 A or uh earlier this year , the 256 00:09:21,705 --> 00:09:23,705 Eisenhower continued to move around 257 00:09:23,705 --> 00:09:26,614 within the A or so the tr could move 258 00:09:26,625 --> 00:09:28,792 around within the A or but of course , 259 00:09:28,792 --> 00:09:30,681 I'm not going to get ahead of any 260 00:09:30,681 --> 00:09:32,903 movements or force posture changes that 261 00:09:32,903 --> 00:09:34,903 um the commander decides to make or 262 00:09:34,903 --> 00:09:37,069 that the secretary decides to make the 263 00:09:37,069 --> 00:09:37,034 force posture in this . Those cases 264 00:09:37,044 --> 00:09:39,825 could be repositioning of ships already 265 00:09:39,835 --> 00:09:41,891 in the region versus bringing in new 266 00:09:41,895 --> 00:09:44,869 vessels from Asia or something . There 267 00:09:44,880 --> 00:09:46,936 could be a repositioning of assets . 268 00:09:46,936 --> 00:09:48,991 But again , that's something that um 269 00:09:48,991 --> 00:09:51,213 the secretary will be directing and I'm 270 00:09:51,213 --> 00:09:53,436 not going to get ahead of any decisions 271 00:09:53,436 --> 00:09:53,020 that the secretary has made at this 272 00:09:53,030 --> 00:09:55,599 time or later today . I don't have a 273 00:09:55,609 --> 00:09:57,720 timeline for you . Yeah , of course . 274 00:09:57,720 --> 00:09:59,665 Yeah . Thank you , Sabrina for the 275 00:09:59,665 --> 00:10:01,799 revision , uh what kind of um talk or 276 00:10:01,809 --> 00:10:05,409 coordinations on has or having or had 277 00:10:05,719 --> 00:10:07,919 uh which state like Italy or Southern 278 00:10:07,929 --> 00:10:09,707 European state , it can be more 279 00:10:09,707 --> 00:10:12,710 involved in support of the US in case 280 00:10:12,719 --> 00:10:15,859 of uh Iranian attack to Israel . And uh 281 00:10:15,869 --> 00:10:18,179 the second question is , is that the 282 00:10:18,190 --> 00:10:20,079 kind of talk that the Pentagon is 283 00:10:20,079 --> 00:10:22,780 having with the Arabic state that are 284 00:10:22,789 --> 00:10:25,130 part of the deal that the negotiation 285 00:10:25,140 --> 00:10:27,799 that now have to be neutral between 286 00:10:27,809 --> 00:10:30,630 Iran and Israel . So um those are my 287 00:10:30,640 --> 00:10:32,751 two questions , what's the strategy ? 288 00:10:32,751 --> 00:10:34,640 So we're always in touch with our 289 00:10:34,640 --> 00:10:36,751 partners and allies um As you've seen 290 00:10:36,751 --> 00:10:39,859 with the events of October 7th . Um and 291 00:10:39,869 --> 00:10:42,950 you've also seen with um the Coalition 292 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:45,071 of Operation Prosperity Guardian that 293 00:10:45,071 --> 00:10:47,280 is allies and partners coming together 294 00:10:47,510 --> 00:10:49,566 in the region , either to support in 295 00:10:49,566 --> 00:10:51,869 the defense of Israel or to ensure that 296 00:10:51,880 --> 00:10:53,880 commercial shipping can go continue 297 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:56,102 through the Red Sea and ensure that the 298 00:10:56,102 --> 00:10:58,047 international rules based order is 299 00:10:58,047 --> 00:10:59,991 upheld . So this is something that 300 00:10:59,991 --> 00:11:02,102 we're always in touch with our allies 301 00:11:02,102 --> 00:11:04,269 and partners on . Um in terms of , you 302 00:11:04,269 --> 00:11:06,436 know , any calls to read out , I don't 303 00:11:06,436 --> 00:11:06,390 have anything more additional to 304 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:08,599 provide , but I can assure you that at 305 00:11:08,609 --> 00:11:10,831 all levels of government , whether here 306 00:11:10,831 --> 00:11:13,109 at the department or or somewhere else , 307 00:11:13,109 --> 00:11:15,276 we are always in communication when it 308 00:11:15,276 --> 00:11:17,440 comes to what is happening in the 309 00:11:17,450 --> 00:11:19,283 region . And of course , closely 310 00:11:19,283 --> 00:11:21,617 coordinating with our partners . I mean , 311 00:11:22,239 --> 00:11:25,229 maybe I haven't asked what I meant it 312 00:11:25,239 --> 00:11:28,719 like if the U the Pentagon to ask for 313 00:11:28,729 --> 00:11:31,820 military support on the Mediterranean , 314 00:11:31,830 --> 00:11:34,549 close to Israel to European , to the 315 00:11:34,559 --> 00:11:36,726 European Union . I don't have anything 316 00:11:36,726 --> 00:11:38,503 to read out . But as you know , 317 00:11:38,503 --> 00:11:40,448 operation prosperity guardian is a 318 00:11:40,448 --> 00:11:42,830 coalition of like minded nations coming 319 00:11:42,840 --> 00:11:46,520 together to ensure that , 320 00:11:46,659 --> 00:11:48,437 you know , commercial trade can 321 00:11:48,437 --> 00:11:50,437 continue to flow through . But also 322 00:11:50,437 --> 00:11:52,880 responding to the ongoing attacks from 323 00:11:52,890 --> 00:11:54,946 the houthis um that they continue to 324 00:11:54,946 --> 00:11:57,890 lob at our ships , allied partners and 325 00:11:57,900 --> 00:12:00,289 ships and commercial vessels . So um I 326 00:12:00,299 --> 00:12:02,521 just don't have anything more to , to , 327 00:12:02,521 --> 00:12:04,743 to read out for you , but I would point 328 00:12:04,743 --> 00:12:06,966 you to the fact that we have this large 329 00:12:06,966 --> 00:12:08,910 coalition that's already operating 330 00:12:08,910 --> 00:12:10,966 within the Red Sea . Charlie . Yes . 331 00:12:10,966 --> 00:12:13,780 Thank you , Sabrina . When it comes to 332 00:12:13,789 --> 00:12:15,900 a timeline , uh the US military isn't 333 00:12:15,900 --> 00:12:18,122 the only one who gets a vote . Uh There 334 00:12:18,130 --> 00:12:20,080 will be a window that we've been 335 00:12:20,090 --> 00:12:22,960 expecting , learning over the next sort 336 00:12:22,969 --> 00:12:25,099 of 72 hours . We here late Sunday , 337 00:12:25,109 --> 00:12:27,809 Monday where Iran might retaliate 338 00:12:27,960 --> 00:12:30,182 Hezbollah , might even retaliate before 339 00:12:30,182 --> 00:12:32,349 that and then a joint retaliation . So 340 00:12:32,349 --> 00:12:34,293 whether decisions have been made , 341 00:12:34,293 --> 00:12:37,049 wouldn't there have been a movement of 342 00:12:37,059 --> 00:12:39,369 us resources already in order to defend 343 00:12:39,380 --> 00:12:41,619 against that ? Well , Charlie , I would 344 00:12:41,630 --> 00:12:43,609 remind you that in the Eastern 345 00:12:43,619 --> 00:12:45,730 Mediterranean and in the Centcom A or 346 00:12:45,730 --> 00:12:47,820 we have many , many assets that are 347 00:12:47,830 --> 00:12:50,919 there . You have the um argue you that 348 00:12:50,929 --> 00:12:53,151 is continuing to operate in the Eastern 349 00:12:53,151 --> 00:12:55,373 Mediterranean there are also destroyers 350 00:12:55,373 --> 00:12:58,190 there . You have the tr and um the 351 00:12:58,200 --> 00:13:00,422 entire carrier strike group that's also 352 00:13:00,422 --> 00:13:02,644 continuing to operate in the Skaor . So 353 00:13:02,644 --> 00:13:04,756 it's not like we don't have assets or 354 00:13:04,756 --> 00:13:06,756 coverage in the region . So I think 355 00:13:06,756 --> 00:13:09,260 that's important . Um Again , this is a 356 00:13:09,270 --> 00:13:12,679 decision that the secretary um is , 357 00:13:12,690 --> 00:13:16,440 is Wang and he committed to Minister 358 00:13:16,450 --> 00:13:18,890 Galan and the president committed um to 359 00:13:18,900 --> 00:13:20,989 Netanyahu that we will be bolstering 360 00:13:21,000 --> 00:13:23,056 our force protection in the region . 361 00:13:23,056 --> 00:13:25,389 But what specific assets will be moving ? 362 00:13:25,389 --> 00:13:27,444 I just don't have that for you right 363 00:13:27,444 --> 00:13:29,780 now . Um When I do , we'll certainly 364 00:13:29,789 --> 00:13:31,956 let you know , presumably some of that 365 00:13:31,956 --> 00:13:34,011 would already have to be underway if 366 00:13:34,011 --> 00:13:36,011 you're talking about forced posture 367 00:13:36,011 --> 00:13:38,122 changes again , I don't have anything 368 00:13:38,122 --> 00:13:40,400 to announce right now . Yes , but that , 369 00:13:40,400 --> 00:13:42,400 um to , to , to what extent are you 370 00:13:42,400 --> 00:13:44,067 concerned about or seeing any 371 00:13:44,067 --> 00:13:46,270 indications that Iran may attempt to 372 00:13:46,280 --> 00:13:48,530 retaliate against Israel outside of the 373 00:13:48,539 --> 00:13:51,330 Middle East ? Well , I've seen their 374 00:13:51,340 --> 00:13:54,109 public comments . Um I don't have 375 00:13:54,119 --> 00:13:56,230 anything more to provide other than I 376 00:13:56,230 --> 00:13:58,230 can point you to the fact that they 377 00:13:58,230 --> 00:14:00,563 have publicly of what they've said . Um , 378 00:14:00,563 --> 00:14:02,675 in terms of what we are doing here at 379 00:14:02,675 --> 00:14:04,730 the department is we will stand with 380 00:14:04,730 --> 00:14:06,952 Israel in their self defense . And that 381 00:14:06,952 --> 00:14:08,786 was something that the secretary 382 00:14:08,786 --> 00:14:08,549 reiterated to Minister Galant on his 383 00:14:08,559 --> 00:14:10,392 call this morning . Is there any 384 00:14:10,392 --> 00:14:12,890 communication between the US and Iran 385 00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:15,630 directly or indirectly to prevent any 386 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:17,640 further escalation on behalf of the 387 00:14:17,640 --> 00:14:19,640 department I don't have anything to 388 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:21,807 read out . Yeah , Chris , thanks . The 389 00:14:21,807 --> 00:14:23,973 Iraqi government and the spokesman for 390 00:14:23,973 --> 00:14:26,109 their armed forces expressed outraged 391 00:14:26,119 --> 00:14:28,650 the US airstrike in Iraq a couple of 392 00:14:28,659 --> 00:14:30,969 days ago on the UAV site and said it 393 00:14:30,979 --> 00:14:34,570 violated Iraqi sovereignty . Did the U 394 00:14:34,590 --> 00:14:36,701 discuss that military action with the 395 00:14:36,701 --> 00:14:38,701 Iraqis ? And what is the Pentagon's 396 00:14:38,701 --> 00:14:40,646 response on whether that airstrike 397 00:14:40,646 --> 00:14:43,289 violated Iraqi sovereignty ? You're 398 00:14:43,299 --> 00:14:46,190 talking about the , um , airstrike that 399 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:50,070 we took on the 30th , so that airstrike 400 00:14:50,080 --> 00:14:53,349 was a defensive airstrike . Um And we 401 00:14:53,359 --> 00:14:55,359 were targeting combatants that were 402 00:14:55,359 --> 00:14:57,570 attempting to launch one way attack uh 403 00:14:57,580 --> 00:15:00,690 an un crude air attack system at our 404 00:15:00,700 --> 00:15:02,940 forces . So it was a defensive measure 405 00:15:02,950 --> 00:15:04,770 that we took um in terms of 406 00:15:04,780 --> 00:15:07,113 communication with the Iraqi government . 407 00:15:07,113 --> 00:15:09,224 I would point you to centcom to speak 408 00:15:09,224 --> 00:15:12,500 to that on the same Iraqi comments . 409 00:15:12,510 --> 00:15:14,510 The Iraqi government says that this 410 00:15:14,510 --> 00:15:17,510 attack undermines all the efforts and 411 00:15:17,520 --> 00:15:19,760 diplomatic and technical discussion 412 00:15:19,770 --> 00:15:22,049 with the US government . So what , 413 00:15:22,059 --> 00:15:24,226 what's your comment on that ? Has this 414 00:15:24,226 --> 00:15:26,170 affected your communication , your 415 00:15:26,170 --> 00:15:28,281 discussions with the Iraqi government 416 00:15:28,281 --> 00:15:30,337 when it comes to the Higher Military 417 00:15:30,337 --> 00:15:32,503 Commission and also all the discussion 418 00:15:32,503 --> 00:15:32,400 with the Iraqi government . We don't 419 00:15:32,409 --> 00:15:34,140 believe that it's impacted um 420 00:15:34,150 --> 00:15:36,760 conversations uh related to the Higher 421 00:15:36,770 --> 00:15:39,103 Military Commission . We have been very , 422 00:15:39,103 --> 00:15:41,359 very clear that we will take measures 423 00:15:41,369 --> 00:15:43,932 in order to ensure our forces are safe 424 00:15:43,942 --> 00:15:46,164 in the region . And that's what you saw 425 00:15:46,164 --> 00:15:48,843 with that July 30th strike . We were 426 00:15:48,853 --> 00:15:52,583 taking measures because we saw that an 427 00:15:52,593 --> 00:15:54,760 attack was about to be launched on our 428 00:15:54,760 --> 00:15:56,704 forces . And we've been very clear 429 00:15:56,704 --> 00:15:58,783 about that with the Iraqi government 430 00:15:58,793 --> 00:16:00,849 both publicly here from the podium . 431 00:16:00,849 --> 00:16:02,904 You've heard me say that a number of 432 00:16:02,904 --> 00:16:05,126 times and privately , um we will always 433 00:16:05,126 --> 00:16:07,293 take measures that we need to in order 434 00:16:07,293 --> 00:16:09,916 to ensure our service members safety in 435 00:16:09,926 --> 00:16:12,148 the region . And so we did just that on 436 00:16:12,148 --> 00:16:13,926 July 30th , if needed , we will 437 00:16:13,926 --> 00:16:16,148 continue to do that . Um And we've been 438 00:16:16,148 --> 00:16:17,982 pretty clear about that from the 439 00:16:17,982 --> 00:16:19,815 beginning and as it comes to the 440 00:16:19,815 --> 00:16:21,759 Iranian response to the killing of 441 00:16:21,759 --> 00:16:24,260 Ismail Haye , uh it's expected that the 442 00:16:24,270 --> 00:16:26,381 Iraqi militia group is backed by Iran 443 00:16:26,381 --> 00:16:28,326 being involved in targeting the US 444 00:16:28,326 --> 00:16:30,492 forces in Iraq and Syria . So have you 445 00:16:30,492 --> 00:16:32,714 reached the Iraqi government to prevent 446 00:16:32,714 --> 00:16:35,429 any such attack in Iraq ? I'm sorry , 447 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:37,770 can you repeat the question when it 448 00:16:37,780 --> 00:16:39,836 comes to the Iranian response to the 449 00:16:39,836 --> 00:16:42,349 Ismail Hay killing and attacking Israel ? 450 00:16:42,659 --> 00:16:44,881 There are some officials and also there 451 00:16:44,881 --> 00:16:46,989 are some reports suggesting that the 452 00:16:47,000 --> 00:16:49,349 Iraqi militia group may attack these 453 00:16:49,359 --> 00:16:52,159 forces inside Iraq and in Syria in the , 454 00:16:52,890 --> 00:16:55,001 have you reached the Iraqi government 455 00:16:55,001 --> 00:16:57,001 to prevent such attack ? Yeah , I'm 456 00:16:57,001 --> 00:16:59,223 sorry , I didn't understand your , your 457 00:16:59,223 --> 00:17:01,223 question at the beginning . Um I've 458 00:17:01,223 --> 00:17:03,446 seen the public comments that were made 459 00:17:03,446 --> 00:17:06,599 about um from uh you know , 460 00:17:06,609 --> 00:17:09,479 allowing attacks on us forces . And 461 00:17:09,489 --> 00:17:11,656 what I will say to you is what exactly 462 00:17:11,656 --> 00:17:13,822 I said for your first question is that 463 00:17:13,822 --> 00:17:15,989 we will always take measures to ensure 464 00:17:15,989 --> 00:17:17,711 the safety and security of our 465 00:17:17,711 --> 00:17:19,933 personnel stationed anywhere around the 466 00:17:19,933 --> 00:17:21,933 world . Um , I'm not gonna get into 467 00:17:21,933 --> 00:17:24,045 hypotheticals . I'll just leave it at 468 00:17:24,045 --> 00:17:26,211 that . Um , I'm gonna go to the phones 469 00:17:26,211 --> 00:17:25,810 and I'm happy to come back in the room . 470 00:17:25,920 --> 00:17:27,864 Uh , Dan La Moth Washington Post . 471 00:17:28,660 --> 00:17:30,882 Thanks Sabrina . I appreciate it . Um , 472 00:17:30,882 --> 00:17:32,993 made a couple of checks this week and 473 00:17:32,993 --> 00:17:35,160 it appears we , we've had no , uh , us 474 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:37,271 destroyers in the Red Sea for several 475 00:17:37,271 --> 00:17:39,382 days at a pretty dynamic time . Uh Ca 476 00:17:39,382 --> 00:17:41,604 can you explain that decision ? Is , is 477 00:17:41,604 --> 00:17:43,910 there something going on there , you 478 00:17:43,920 --> 00:17:46,087 know , in light of the Houthi attack ? 479 00:17:46,087 --> 00:17:47,864 That , that , that caught me by 480 00:17:47,864 --> 00:17:49,976 surprise ? Thanks . Uh Thanks Dan for 481 00:17:49,976 --> 00:17:52,142 your question in terms of , you know , 482 00:17:52,142 --> 00:17:54,309 movements within the Red Sea and , and 483 00:17:54,309 --> 00:17:56,420 uh positions of different ships . I'd 484 00:17:56,420 --> 00:17:58,531 really direct you to Centcom to speak 485 00:17:58,531 --> 00:18:00,698 to that . Um As you know , they , they 486 00:18:00,698 --> 00:18:02,864 put out almost daily updates of um you 487 00:18:02,864 --> 00:18:05,142 know , engagements that they have done . 488 00:18:05,142 --> 00:18:07,142 Um either uh shooting down incoming 489 00:18:07,142 --> 00:18:09,198 missiles that are coming from Houthi 490 00:18:09,198 --> 00:18:11,253 controlled areas in Yemen um or , or 491 00:18:11,253 --> 00:18:13,253 other engagements , but I , I would 492 00:18:13,253 --> 00:18:15,420 remind you that just because a US ship 493 00:18:15,420 --> 00:18:17,609 is not in the Red Sea does not mean 494 00:18:17,699 --> 00:18:19,699 that you don't have other coalition 495 00:18:19,699 --> 00:18:21,755 ships part of operation , prosperity 496 00:18:21,755 --> 00:18:23,770 Guardian um in the Red Sea and 497 00:18:23,780 --> 00:18:26,849 continuing to engage in um you know , 498 00:18:26,859 --> 00:18:29,109 attacks coming from Houthi controlled 499 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:31,829 areas . Um I will take another one from 500 00:18:31,839 --> 00:18:34,117 the phone , Jeff Shog task and purpose . 501 00:18:34,290 --> 00:18:37,040 Thank you . Have any units been placed 502 00:18:37,050 --> 00:18:40,140 on prepared to deploy orders in light 503 00:18:40,150 --> 00:18:43,069 of the situation with Israel and Iran 504 00:18:43,079 --> 00:18:45,939 and Hezbollah . And also there were two 505 00:18:45,949 --> 00:18:48,829 non combat deaths in Iraq . Can does 506 00:18:48,839 --> 00:18:50,839 OSD have any information about what 507 00:18:50,839 --> 00:18:54,459 happened ? Um Thanks Jeff for your 508 00:18:54,469 --> 00:18:56,859 question . So I would direct you to the 509 00:18:56,869 --> 00:18:59,829 um army to speak more to those um non 510 00:19:00,020 --> 00:19:02,242 combat debts that you referenced . So I 511 00:19:02,242 --> 00:19:04,298 just don't have more for you at this 512 00:19:04,298 --> 00:19:06,670 time . Um In terms of any units placed 513 00:19:06,680 --> 00:19:09,469 on PTDO orders again , as I , as I 514 00:19:09,479 --> 00:19:13,140 mentioned , um the secretary spoke with 515 00:19:13,150 --> 00:19:16,469 Minister Gallant earlier today . Um He 516 00:19:16,479 --> 00:19:18,959 is going to make the de we are going to 517 00:19:18,969 --> 00:19:21,939 make a decision on um ongoing and 518 00:19:21,949 --> 00:19:24,119 future defensive force force posture 519 00:19:24,130 --> 00:19:26,199 changes . Um I'm not aware that any 520 00:19:26,209 --> 00:19:28,320 units have been put on PTDO orders at 521 00:19:28,320 --> 00:19:30,699 this time . Um And when we have more to 522 00:19:30,709 --> 00:19:32,849 provide , we certainly will . Um I'll 523 00:19:32,859 --> 00:19:35,026 come back in the room . Yeah , Janie , 524 00:19:35,026 --> 00:19:38,619 thank you . Competition . South Korea's 525 00:19:38,630 --> 00:19:42,270 Defense Minister said recently there 526 00:19:42,280 --> 00:19:45,709 was a possibility that North Korea 527 00:19:45,719 --> 00:19:49,050 would conduct its seventh nuclear 528 00:19:49,060 --> 00:19:52,849 test before or after the US 529 00:19:52,859 --> 00:19:56,510 presidential election . What do you 530 00:19:56,520 --> 00:20:00,390 think about the possibility of North 531 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:03,040 Korea interfering in the US 532 00:20:03,050 --> 00:20:06,189 presidential election ? Well , Jamie , 533 00:20:06,199 --> 00:20:08,366 as we've mentioned before , you know , 534 00:20:08,366 --> 00:20:10,588 those tests are extremely destabilizing 535 00:20:10,588 --> 00:20:12,755 to the region and we want to see a , a 536 00:20:12,755 --> 00:20:14,477 denuclearization of the Korean 537 00:20:14,477 --> 00:20:16,849 Peninsula um on the Secretary's trip to 538 00:20:16,859 --> 00:20:18,915 the Indo Pacific , as I mentioned at 539 00:20:18,915 --> 00:20:21,137 the top , you know , he held a historic 540 00:20:21,137 --> 00:20:24,089 trilateral meeting in Tokyo with the 541 00:20:24,099 --> 00:20:27,170 Minister of Defense from Korea and um 542 00:20:27,180 --> 00:20:29,347 the Japanese Foreign Minister . And of 543 00:20:29,347 --> 00:20:31,569 course , something that came up was the 544 00:20:31,569 --> 00:20:33,402 D Pr K's continued destabilizing 545 00:20:33,402 --> 00:20:35,739 actions . Um And this was AAA 546 00:20:35,750 --> 00:20:39,239 large topic of conversation throughout 547 00:20:39,250 --> 00:20:41,589 the week . Um It's something that we're 548 00:20:41,599 --> 00:20:43,599 going to continue to monitor . It's 549 00:20:43,599 --> 00:20:45,655 something that will always work with 550 00:20:45,655 --> 00:20:47,766 our Rock and Japanese allies on and , 551 00:20:47,766 --> 00:20:49,932 and coordinating on . Um but any tests 552 00:20:49,932 --> 00:20:51,488 like that um are incredibly 553 00:20:51,488 --> 00:20:53,599 destabilizing to the region and we'll 554 00:20:53,599 --> 00:20:54,710 continue to monitor 555 00:20:57,844 --> 00:21:01,755 Assistant Secretary for space policy . 556 00:21:01,864 --> 00:21:04,834 Recently said that the North , if North 557 00:21:04,844 --> 00:21:07,925 Korea China Russia do not change their 558 00:21:07,935 --> 00:21:11,324 nuclear trajectories , the 559 00:21:11,334 --> 00:21:14,964 scale of the US nuclear posture must be 560 00:21:14,974 --> 00:21:17,474 changed , I mean , adjusted . Do you 561 00:21:17,484 --> 00:21:21,064 think it is possible to increase 562 00:21:21,074 --> 00:21:24,484 nuclear assets in South Korea ? Uh No . 563 00:21:25,160 --> 00:21:27,104 Uh no , I mean , I would sorry , I 564 00:21:27,104 --> 00:21:28,993 shouldn't have been so direct . I 565 00:21:28,993 --> 00:21:31,680 haven't seen all of his comments . Um 566 00:21:31,709 --> 00:21:33,876 Certainly what we want to see is a , a 567 00:21:33,876 --> 00:21:35,598 denuclearization of the Korean 568 00:21:35,598 --> 00:21:39,219 Peninsula . Um The secretary while in 569 00:21:39,229 --> 00:21:42,079 Tokyo made um a number of announcements 570 00:21:42,089 --> 00:21:44,145 that I'm sure you're tracking on the 571 00:21:44,145 --> 00:21:46,780 upgrade of US forces Japan to a unified 572 00:21:46,790 --> 00:21:49,540 command . Um Beyond that , I don't have 573 00:21:49,550 --> 00:21:51,717 any more announcements and I'm sorry , 574 00:21:51,717 --> 00:21:53,606 I just haven't seen some of those 575 00:21:53,606 --> 00:21:53,209 comments , so I don't have more to add 576 00:21:53,219 --> 00:21:56,670 at this time in the back . Yeah , thank 577 00:21:56,680 --> 00:21:58,689 you . You noted that in his 578 00:21:58,699 --> 00:22:01,869 conversation with Defense Minister 579 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:04,180 Galant Secretary Austin expressed 580 00:22:04,189 --> 00:22:06,869 concern about the dangers of escalation . 581 00:22:07,250 --> 00:22:11,160 Did he also speak to Gallant or 582 00:22:11,170 --> 00:22:14,920 warn Israel about the dangers 583 00:22:14,930 --> 00:22:17,119 of escalating the conflict ? Should 584 00:22:17,869 --> 00:22:21,729 Iran retaliate uh prompting 585 00:22:21,739 --> 00:22:25,339 a large scale Israeli retaliation or 586 00:22:25,349 --> 00:22:27,849 strike on Iran . Is that something that 587 00:22:27,859 --> 00:22:30,660 was discussed ? And if so how ? Yeah , 588 00:22:30,670 --> 00:22:32,892 so we'll have a read out later today of 589 00:22:32,892 --> 00:22:35,114 their call . Um I'm not really going to 590 00:22:35,114 --> 00:22:37,281 go beyond what I said at the top other 591 00:22:37,281 --> 00:22:40,109 than to emphasize that the secretary 592 00:22:40,119 --> 00:22:42,989 highlighted that escalation is not 593 00:22:43,000 --> 00:22:45,770 inevitable and that all countries in 594 00:22:45,780 --> 00:22:47,613 the region would benefit from de 595 00:22:47,613 --> 00:22:49,836 escalation and I'll leave it at that if 596 00:22:49,836 --> 00:22:52,058 I could just follow up . Uh You , you , 597 00:22:52,058 --> 00:22:53,859 you , you noted again that the 598 00:22:53,869 --> 00:22:56,030 secretary talked about the dangers of 599 00:22:56,040 --> 00:22:59,199 escalation . Uh President Biden said 600 00:22:59,209 --> 00:23:01,780 that the assassination of uh of Haniya 601 00:23:01,790 --> 00:23:04,680 was a uh were not helpful to the 602 00:23:04,689 --> 00:23:07,380 ceasefire negotiation process . Doesn't 603 00:23:07,390 --> 00:23:11,010 this bolstering of defense uh in uh 604 00:23:11,020 --> 00:23:14,459 for Israel represent a kind of 605 00:23:14,469 --> 00:23:17,060 reward to Israel for destabilizing that 606 00:23:17,069 --> 00:23:19,319 very process that both the secretary 607 00:23:19,329 --> 00:23:21,496 and the president are saying they want 608 00:23:21,496 --> 00:23:23,496 to continue . No , I'd respectfully 609 00:23:23,496 --> 00:23:25,680 push back on that . Um What we are 610 00:23:25,689 --> 00:23:27,911 doing to bolster our capabilities is in 611 00:23:27,911 --> 00:23:29,856 the defense of Israel and , and by 612 00:23:29,856 --> 00:23:33,069 nature is defensive . Um So , no , I , 613 00:23:33,079 --> 00:23:34,912 I wouldn't say that it escalates 614 00:23:34,912 --> 00:23:36,690 tension . In fact , some of the 615 00:23:36,690 --> 00:23:38,801 decisions that the secretary has made 616 00:23:38,801 --> 00:23:40,968 since October 7th . You might remember 617 00:23:40,968 --> 00:23:42,857 we moved the Ford , the US S Ford 618 00:23:42,857 --> 00:23:45,079 carrier strike group to the Eastern met 619 00:23:45,079 --> 00:23:47,246 on October 8th . Uh We moved the IC um 620 00:23:47,246 --> 00:23:49,369 soon thereafter to the cent com A or 621 00:23:49,380 --> 00:23:51,547 these were all to project a message of 622 00:23:51,547 --> 00:23:53,769 deterrence . Um We certainly do not . I 623 00:23:53,769 --> 00:23:55,936 don't want to see this spread out to a 624 00:23:55,936 --> 00:23:57,880 wider regional conflict . We don't 625 00:23:57,880 --> 00:24:00,047 believe it has right now . We're going 626 00:24:00,047 --> 00:24:02,102 to continue to urge for deescalating 627 00:24:02,102 --> 00:24:04,989 and the best way for that to happen is 628 00:24:05,000 --> 00:24:07,880 for this ceasefire deal to come through . 629 00:24:07,979 --> 00:24:10,201 And so we can get American hostages out 630 00:24:10,201 --> 00:24:12,312 as well . Um But we believe that that 631 00:24:12,312 --> 00:24:14,790 would be the best way to deescalated 632 00:24:14,800 --> 00:24:16,949 and um you know , further lower 633 00:24:16,959 --> 00:24:20,569 tensions in the region . Uh Lo sorry , 634 00:24:20,579 --> 00:24:23,920 I thought I saw you over there . You , 635 00:24:23,930 --> 00:24:26,097 you noted that the commitment has been 636 00:24:26,097 --> 00:24:27,930 made by the president and by the 637 00:24:27,930 --> 00:24:30,930 secretary . Um What is triggering those 638 00:24:30,939 --> 00:24:34,420 commitments ? I think uh you can point 639 00:24:34,430 --> 00:24:38,050 to um events that have happened in the 640 00:24:38,060 --> 00:24:40,829 past week . Um Again , we don't want to 641 00:24:40,839 --> 00:24:43,050 see an escalation . We want to see 642 00:24:43,060 --> 00:24:45,290 things to deescalated . And because of 643 00:24:45,300 --> 00:24:47,244 that , we are committing defensive 644 00:24:47,244 --> 00:24:50,239 capabilities to the region that uh I 645 00:24:50,250 --> 00:24:52,194 don't have an announcement of what 646 00:24:52,194 --> 00:24:54,194 those will be . But when we do , we 647 00:24:54,194 --> 00:24:56,417 will certainly read those out . And the 648 00:24:56,417 --> 00:24:58,528 second one , you , you in this answer 649 00:24:58,528 --> 00:24:57,739 right here , you kind of spoke to it , 650 00:24:57,750 --> 00:25:00,680 but by making this public isn't this 651 00:25:00,689 --> 00:25:03,910 just a deterrent as well . Speaking 652 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:06,180 from the podium . Yes . Yes . And I 653 00:25:06,310 --> 00:25:08,510 think that there is a commitment that 654 00:25:08,520 --> 00:25:11,099 the secretary will decide on force 655 00:25:11,109 --> 00:25:13,109 protection measures , they have not 656 00:25:13,109 --> 00:25:15,331 been actually decided on yet , which is 657 00:25:15,331 --> 00:25:17,276 kind of atypical actually for this 658 00:25:17,276 --> 00:25:18,887 building to actually make an 659 00:25:18,887 --> 00:25:21,109 announcement like this . So therefore , 660 00:25:21,109 --> 00:25:23,331 I mean , is it your statement in itself 661 00:25:23,331 --> 00:25:27,310 a deterrent ? Um I mean , of course , 662 00:25:27,319 --> 00:25:29,680 we are , when it comes to messaging , 663 00:25:29,689 --> 00:25:31,800 we do things publicly and privately . 664 00:25:31,880 --> 00:25:34,020 Um So public messaging , we're very 665 00:25:34,030 --> 00:25:36,520 clear about um the defensive 666 00:25:36,530 --> 00:25:38,697 capabilities that we are committing to 667 00:25:38,697 --> 00:25:40,697 the region and that we are going to 668 00:25:40,697 --> 00:25:42,919 bolster them . Um because we don't want 669 00:25:42,919 --> 00:25:45,030 to see tensions continue to rise , we 670 00:25:45,030 --> 00:25:48,750 want to see a deescalating . So , um if 671 00:25:48,760 --> 00:25:50,649 they are watching , if someone is 672 00:25:50,649 --> 00:25:52,989 watching this briefing overseas , um I 673 00:25:53,000 --> 00:25:55,111 think we are being very direct in our 674 00:25:55,111 --> 00:25:57,167 messaging that um certainly we don't 675 00:25:57,170 --> 00:25:59,170 want to see he intentions and we do 676 00:25:59,170 --> 00:26:01,281 believe there is an off ramp here and 677 00:26:01,281 --> 00:26:03,392 that is that ceasefire deal . Um once 678 00:26:03,392 --> 00:26:05,726 that comes through and , and , you know , 679 00:26:05,726 --> 00:26:07,726 once hostages are released , that's 680 00:26:07,726 --> 00:26:09,781 what we really want to see here . Um 681 00:26:09,781 --> 00:26:12,114 And we've said it from the beginning on , 682 00:26:12,114 --> 00:26:14,170 you know , um the next day following 683 00:26:14,170 --> 00:26:16,281 October 7th is we don't want to see a 684 00:26:16,281 --> 00:26:18,392 wider regional conflict . Um We don't 685 00:26:18,392 --> 00:26:20,559 believe we are there and that's partly 686 00:26:20,559 --> 00:26:22,670 because we moved assets to the region 687 00:26:22,670 --> 00:26:24,892 that do project power and that also , I 688 00:26:24,892 --> 00:26:26,892 think send a very strong message of 689 00:26:26,892 --> 00:26:28,892 deterrence . Um I'm gonna go to the 690 00:26:28,892 --> 00:26:31,114 phones and then happy to come back over 691 00:26:31,114 --> 00:26:33,059 here . Um Howard Altman War Zone . 692 00:26:33,059 --> 00:26:35,170 Thanks Sabrina . Can you confirm that 693 00:26:35,170 --> 00:26:37,226 the air force is going to be sending 694 00:26:37,226 --> 00:26:39,719 additional combat uh aircraft to the 695 00:26:39,729 --> 00:26:43,410 region in response to all this ? And um 696 00:26:43,420 --> 00:26:45,760 what kind of airframes can you tell me ? 697 00:26:46,280 --> 00:26:48,336 Thanks , Howard for the question . I 698 00:26:48,336 --> 00:26:50,558 cannot at this time . Uh Sam Lrn US N I 699 00:26:57,630 --> 00:26:59,741 OK . Happy to come back in the room . 700 00:26:59,741 --> 00:27:02,074 Go . Thank you . Two questions , please . 701 00:27:02,359 --> 00:27:04,530 One , this was the first time that 702 00:27:04,540 --> 00:27:06,839 secretary uh there was an interaction 703 00:27:06,849 --> 00:27:08,729 between the US and India . But 704 00:27:08,739 --> 00:27:10,906 secretary met not the Defense Minister 705 00:27:10,910 --> 00:27:13,077 of India , but the Foreign Minister of 706 00:27:13,077 --> 00:27:15,319 India , Mr Jay Shaar . And this was the 707 00:27:15,329 --> 00:27:17,910 first meeting after Prime Minister Modi 708 00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:21,439 visited Moscow . So what was discussed 709 00:27:21,449 --> 00:27:24,079 between the two about this meeting ? 710 00:27:24,089 --> 00:27:26,256 The Foreign Minister , not the Defense 711 00:27:26,256 --> 00:27:28,089 Minister of India . I think that 712 00:27:28,089 --> 00:27:30,089 question is better directed for the 713 00:27:30,089 --> 00:27:32,311 State Department Secretary Blinken held 714 00:27:32,311 --> 00:27:31,810 that meeting . It was a quad meeting . 715 00:27:31,819 --> 00:27:34,109 So I direct you to the State Department 716 00:27:34,119 --> 00:27:35,452 to speak more to that . 717 00:27:38,400 --> 00:27:40,640 Thousands of people , millions of 718 00:27:40,650 --> 00:27:42,810 people watched burning of us flag in 719 00:27:42,819 --> 00:27:44,541 Washington DC . During that uh 720 00:27:44,541 --> 00:27:46,979 demonstration , many were upset and 721 00:27:46,989 --> 00:27:49,156 including in my community that burning 722 00:27:49,156 --> 00:27:52,660 of us flag is , is like a unity uh 723 00:27:52,670 --> 00:27:55,790 us stand for unity and united this 724 00:27:55,800 --> 00:27:57,890 building . Many from this building , 725 00:27:57,900 --> 00:28:00,122 men and women . They fight every day to 726 00:28:00,122 --> 00:28:02,178 protect the US flag . So , what were 727 00:28:02,178 --> 00:28:04,289 the comments from the secretary about 728 00:28:04,289 --> 00:28:06,400 those uh demonstration had nothing to 729 00:28:06,400 --> 00:28:08,511 do with the US flag , but they burned 730 00:28:08,511 --> 00:28:10,567 it and brought down and they brought 731 00:28:10,567 --> 00:28:13,589 another flag on their Hamas flag . So 732 00:28:13,599 --> 00:28:16,729 we certainly , um , don't support the 733 00:28:16,739 --> 00:28:18,572 burning of American flags and we 734 00:28:18,572 --> 00:28:20,850 certainly don't support the raising of , 735 00:28:20,850 --> 00:28:24,390 um , a flag from Hamas . Um , I 736 00:28:24,400 --> 00:28:26,567 believe even the White House put out a 737 00:28:26,567 --> 00:28:28,789 statement on that . Um It was something 738 00:28:28,789 --> 00:28:30,900 that we , that we monitored from here 739 00:28:30,900 --> 00:28:33,030 when it came to some of those um 740 00:28:33,040 --> 00:28:35,229 demonstrations here in Washington DC . 741 00:28:35,400 --> 00:28:37,400 Um But that's not something that we 742 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:39,400 support . That's not something that 743 00:28:39,400 --> 00:28:39,270 reflects the values of this building or 744 00:28:39,280 --> 00:28:42,260 this administration . Um OK , Oren and 745 00:28:42,270 --> 00:28:44,548 then Chris and then happy to come back . 746 00:28:44,619 --> 00:28:47,390 Sorry , look , I said , Oren , but I'm 747 00:28:47,400 --> 00:28:49,567 looking at Chris , go ahead . You said 748 00:28:49,567 --> 00:28:51,789 twice now , once in the opener and once 749 00:28:51,789 --> 00:28:53,900 a couple of minutes ago , ongoing and 750 00:28:53,900 --> 00:28:56,178 future Defensive Force posture changes . 751 00:28:56,178 --> 00:28:55,479 We get the future part , the 752 00:28:55,489 --> 00:28:57,600 discussions , the decisions that will 753 00:28:57,600 --> 00:29:00,050 be made . What's the ongoing part ? Are 754 00:29:00,060 --> 00:29:01,949 there movements that have already 755 00:29:01,949 --> 00:29:03,893 happened or are happening based on 756 00:29:03,893 --> 00:29:06,004 orders that have already been given ? 757 00:29:06,004 --> 00:29:05,449 No , it's just ongoing is what the 758 00:29:05,459 --> 00:29:07,515 commander decides in the region . So 759 00:29:07,515 --> 00:29:09,681 what he decides to move and reposition 760 00:29:09,681 --> 00:29:11,903 where and I don't have anything to read 761 00:29:11,903 --> 00:29:14,015 out right now , but that would be the 762 00:29:14,015 --> 00:29:16,237 ongoing those have been made already or 763 00:29:16,237 --> 00:29:16,214 are being made , I think ongoing means 764 00:29:16,224 --> 00:29:18,724 they will be made but I'm just not 765 00:29:18,734 --> 00:29:20,623 going to get into a discussion on 766 00:29:20,623 --> 00:29:23,375 tenses from here . Ok , Chris , thanks 767 00:29:23,885 --> 00:29:27,435 numbers clarification . The airstrike 768 00:29:27,444 --> 00:29:29,785 in Iraq came in response to cases of 769 00:29:29,795 --> 00:29:32,194 rockets being launched towards us 770 00:29:32,204 --> 00:29:34,714 troops in Iraq and Syria . What is the 771 00:29:34,724 --> 00:29:37,185 total number of attacks against us 772 00:29:37,194 --> 00:29:40,234 troops in Iraq , Syria and Jordan since 773 00:29:40,244 --> 00:29:44,010 October ? So I mean , Chris 774 00:29:44,020 --> 00:29:47,180 just , just one correction here . Um 775 00:29:48,010 --> 00:29:50,709 Not so much a response , but we saw , 776 00:29:51,010 --> 00:29:54,420 um we saw 777 00:29:54,719 --> 00:29:58,150 forces assembling to attack us forces 778 00:29:58,160 --> 00:30:01,760 in Iraq and or , or us forces in the 779 00:30:01,770 --> 00:30:03,659 region . And so we took defensive 780 00:30:03,659 --> 00:30:05,770 action . So I think it's important to 781 00:30:05,770 --> 00:30:07,714 remember that's not necessarily in 782 00:30:07,714 --> 00:30:07,119 response . We do have a right to 783 00:30:07,130 --> 00:30:09,352 respond and protect our forces anywhere 784 00:30:09,352 --> 00:30:11,920 around the world . Um in terms of uh 785 00:30:11,930 --> 00:30:15,699 attacks on us forces um in 786 00:30:15,709 --> 00:30:17,820 total , you're talking about from the 787 00:30:17,820 --> 00:30:21,199 very beginning , 1 61 70 . What's the , 788 00:30:21,209 --> 00:30:23,265 I believe it's over 100 and 80 . But 789 00:30:23,265 --> 00:30:25,839 again , you , that was from October 790 00:30:25,849 --> 00:30:28,660 17th from last year . Um And , you know , 791 00:30:28,670 --> 00:30:31,760 since I think January or February , um 792 00:30:31,770 --> 00:30:33,770 you know , we did see a slowdown of 793 00:30:33,770 --> 00:30:36,119 attacks , we saw um one in April and 794 00:30:36,130 --> 00:30:38,186 then again , we saw a long period of 795 00:30:38,186 --> 00:30:40,019 pause and that's what we want to 796 00:30:40,019 --> 00:30:43,609 continue to see . Um We do not again . 797 00:30:43,619 --> 00:30:45,675 And I know I've said this and you'll 798 00:30:45,880 --> 00:30:48,047 probably hate me for saying it again , 799 00:30:48,047 --> 00:30:50,269 but I'll just do it anyways . We do not 800 00:30:50,269 --> 00:30:52,269 want a regional war . We do not see 801 00:30:52,269 --> 00:30:54,047 this spilling out into a larger 802 00:30:54,047 --> 00:30:56,102 regional conflict , but we will take 803 00:30:56,102 --> 00:30:58,213 action to protect our forces anywhere 804 00:30:58,213 --> 00:31:00,436 in the world . Ok , Phil . And then the 805 00:31:00,436 --> 00:31:03,310 last one over here on the Iraq strike , 806 00:31:03,319 --> 00:31:05,609 may I understand that you've explained 807 00:31:05,619 --> 00:31:07,841 that it was a defensive strike and that 808 00:31:07,841 --> 00:31:09,952 these forces were preparing to act to 809 00:31:09,952 --> 00:31:12,119 attack Uu Us troops . Do you think the 810 00:31:12,119 --> 00:31:15,729 timing of the strike was interpreted by 811 00:31:15,739 --> 00:31:18,689 Iran and others as part of the series 812 00:31:18,699 --> 00:31:21,160 of activities in the region at that 813 00:31:21,170 --> 00:31:24,800 time ? The strike and the attack in 814 00:31:25,160 --> 00:31:28,079 Tehran and , and the other in Damascus 815 00:31:28,089 --> 00:31:30,145 and then the strike in Iraq . Do you 816 00:31:30,145 --> 00:31:32,145 think that they were interpreted as 817 00:31:32,145 --> 00:31:34,959 being , you know , a , a joint 818 00:31:35,410 --> 00:31:37,521 operation ? And what would you say to 819 00:31:37,521 --> 00:31:39,799 people who would , who would make that ? 820 00:31:39,799 --> 00:31:42,021 No , I wouldn't interpret it as a joint 821 00:31:42,021 --> 00:31:44,243 operation at all . I would say that the 822 00:31:44,243 --> 00:31:46,354 action that we took is similar to the 823 00:31:46,354 --> 00:31:48,466 actions that we've taken from when we 824 00:31:48,466 --> 00:31:50,632 started being started getting attacked 825 00:31:50,632 --> 00:31:52,743 on October 17th . We will always take 826 00:31:52,743 --> 00:31:54,859 action um that ensures the safety and 827 00:31:54,869 --> 00:31:56,869 security of our personnel and we've 828 00:31:56,869 --> 00:31:59,036 done that from the very beginning . Um 829 00:31:59,036 --> 00:32:01,147 What we saw was combatants attempting 830 00:32:01,147 --> 00:32:05,030 to launch a UAs system and so san com 831 00:32:05,040 --> 00:32:07,449 forces took action um so that our 832 00:32:07,459 --> 00:32:10,270 forces were not hurt or injured um If 833 00:32:10,280 --> 00:32:12,391 that attack had been able to launch . 834 00:32:12,391 --> 00:32:14,447 Um But no , there's no , I would not 835 00:32:14,447 --> 00:32:16,669 read into any type of coordinations . I 836 00:32:16,669 --> 00:32:18,780 would say that this is something that 837 00:32:18,780 --> 00:32:20,891 we've done time and time again and we 838 00:32:20,891 --> 00:32:23,058 will do if we need to uh at any time . 839 00:32:23,058 --> 00:32:25,169 Last question . Oh , and we got Jared 840 00:32:25,169 --> 00:32:27,336 and then that's really last question . 841 00:32:27,336 --> 00:32:29,502 Previous question . Um Is the Pentagon 842 00:32:29,502 --> 00:32:33,160 um um have see that uh like state like 843 00:32:33,170 --> 00:32:36,449 um partners , allies like the Saudi or 844 00:32:36,459 --> 00:32:39,770 the Jordans will support um still 845 00:32:39,780 --> 00:32:41,724 supporting in case of an attack to 846 00:32:41,724 --> 00:32:45,395 Israel from Yemen , Iran or the um 847 00:32:45,555 --> 00:32:48,155 Hezbollah . Um because they were 848 00:32:48,165 --> 00:32:50,734 involved like , um uh in the , in the 849 00:32:50,744 --> 00:32:52,688 negotiation for the deal , like um 850 00:32:52,688 --> 00:32:54,911 Liban , I mean , like , um the Jordan , 851 00:32:54,911 --> 00:32:56,911 the Saudi , they helped in the deal 852 00:32:56,911 --> 00:32:58,855 with Gaza . Now that the leader is 853 00:32:58,855 --> 00:33:00,688 being killed , are they gonna be 854 00:33:00,688 --> 00:33:02,633 neutral in your opinion or they're 855 00:33:02,633 --> 00:33:05,140 gonna support Israel in case of an 856 00:33:05,150 --> 00:33:07,369 attack , what the Pentagon is ? So as 857 00:33:07,380 --> 00:33:09,602 you can appreciate , I'm just not going 858 00:33:09,602 --> 00:33:11,602 to get into hypotheticals . We have 859 00:33:11,602 --> 00:33:13,658 great partnerships in the region and 860 00:33:13,658 --> 00:33:15,769 I'll just leave it at that Jared last 861 00:33:15,769 --> 00:33:17,824 question to ask in a different way . 862 00:33:18,099 --> 00:33:20,321 Has the department been in contact with 863 00:33:20,321 --> 00:33:22,510 any allies or potentially , you know , 864 00:33:22,520 --> 00:33:25,579 regional partners on these , you know , 865 00:33:25,589 --> 00:33:27,700 and coordinating ahead of a potential 866 00:33:27,700 --> 00:33:29,922 defense of Israel . So I don't have any 867 00:33:29,922 --> 00:33:32,089 calls to read out from the secretary , 868 00:33:32,089 --> 00:33:33,811 but I can tell you that uh the 869 00:33:33,811 --> 00:33:35,922 department at all different levels is 870 00:33:35,922 --> 00:33:38,256 always in touch with their counterparts . 871 00:33:38,256 --> 00:33:40,311 All around the world . Um uh , but I 872 00:33:40,311 --> 00:33:42,367 don't have anything more specific to 873 00:33:42,367 --> 00:33:44,589 read out from the secretary this time . 874 00:33:44,589 --> 00:33:44,270 Ok , great . We'll leave it there . 875 00:33:44,280 --> 00:33:45,030 Thanks everyone .