Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday held a phone call with the United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and warned that his country will respond appropriately to a potential direct Iranian attack. “Gallant told Secretary Austin that he is committed to the security of the citizens of Israel, and therefore a direct Iranian attack on Israeli territory will require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran,” Israeli minister’s office reported. Previously, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that his country is “on alert” and that a strike from Iran’s territory would mean that Tehran aims to “escalate the situation in the Middle East and to stop hiding behind the proxies.”