WASHINGTON: A top US officials said that Washington had no advance warning of an Israeli attack in Beirut and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart as it was taking place.
They were the U.S. government’s first remarks regarding an Israeli operation that defied US calls for de-escalation and a truce.
“The US was not involved in this offensive and we had no advanced warning,” spokesperson Sabrina Singh said. The spokesperson declined to say what Israeli Minister for Defense Affairs Yoav Gallant told the Pentagon Chief regarding the operation and whether it targeted the Iran-backed Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah. The Pentagon also declined to speculate on whether Hassan Nasrallah was still alive.
READ ALSO: Communication Lost with Hezbollah Chief Hassan Nasrallah
Hours following the strikes, Hezbollah had not made a statement on Hassan Nasrallah’s fate. A source close to the group told Reuters that Nasrallah was alive and Iran’s media reported he was safe. A senior Iranian security official told Reuters Iran was checking his status.
Earlier, the Israeli army announced on Friday that it targeted the central headquarters of Hezbollah in Beirut, resulting in a series of powerful blasts that leveled multiple compounds and sent thick plumes of smoke into the sky.
READ ALSO: Harris Criticizes Trump’s Stance on Ukraine
