US reiterates commitment to defend Israel amid Iran’s threats

In response to continuing threats from Iran and its proxies against Israel, the United States has bolstered its military presence in the Middle East to deter potential aggression, the Pentagon said on Thursday.

“We are moving additional capabilities in the region so that regional tensions can calm. We are bolstering our security presence should we need to defend Israel if Iran were to attack,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told Iran International reporter Aref Yaghoubi on Thursday during a press briefing.

Since the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, the Islamic government has been threatening a harsh punishment against Israel, which it says was responsible for the explosion that killed the Hamas leader.

When asked about the Pentagon’s strategies to counter potential threats from Iran’s proxies in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, and Yemen if they were to coordinate an attack with Iran against Israel, Singh stressed that the US is committed to defending its interests and allies, including Israel.

“If there were to be an attack on our forces whether it be in Iraq or Syria. We aways reserve that right to respond at a time and place of our choosing.”

Singh reiterated the Pentagon’s warning to Tehran, stating, “We’ve been very clear with Iran directly, publicly, and privately that we don’t want to see this broaden out into a regional war.”

Singh declined to comment on recent remarks by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who had warned against Iran showing weakness in response to the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. However, she emphasized that the US stands ready to defend Israel. “We are bolstering our security presence to ensure Israel’s protection if Iran were to attack. We don’t want to see that happen.”

Khamenei on Wednesday said that any non-tactical retreat—be it military, political, or economic—invites "divine wrath," as per the Holy Quran.

The Pentagon also addressed concerns about Iran's potential coordination with regional proxies and allies, including Russia. Singh acknowledged the deepening military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran, which has been a key supplier of weapons for Russia’s war in Ukraine.

“We’ve seen a deepening co-operation between Iran and Russia as Russia continues to engage in its unlawful war in Ukraine. We’ve seen Russia continue to seek weapons out from Iran”

While Singh did not comment on specific developments, she highlighted that any threat against Israel would be met with a robust US response.

The spokesperson dismissed doubts about the effectiveness of the US deterrence, citing the success of previous defensive operations during Iran’s April 13 missile and drone attack on Israel. “We demonstrated our airpower… Over 90% of what was shot toward Israel was taken down by either our forces, partner forces, or Israeli forces. If I were Iran, I would be thinking about that.”

As tensions mount, the US has been calling for restraint and de-escalation as it vows to support Israel against an attack. “If Israel were attacked, we would absolutely come to Israel’s defense,” Singh stated.