US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin commented on Saturday on the threats of Iran and Hezbollah against Israel, indicating that his country has taken the necessary measures to defend Israel. Austin said in press statements that he "spoke with the Israeli Defense Minister about the threats of Iran and Hezbollah," indicating that he "informed his Israeli counterpart of taking additional measures to defend Israel by moving and adjusting the status of US forces in the Middle East." He added that "further escalation is not inevitable and all parties benefit from de-escalation, including the completion of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Source: National Iraqi News Agency