US Def Sec-'Multi-Tiered Response' To Be Delivered After Jordan Attack

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III speaking at a presser at the Pentagon. Livestream here. Austin: "This is a dangerous moment in the Middl East. [We] will take all necessary actions to defend the US, our interests and our people. We will respond where we choose, when we choose, and how we choose." Says "We will have a multi-tiered response...we have the ability to respond a number of times depending on what the situation is"

• The likelihood of escalatory attacks on Iranian soil looks to be diminishing, reducing risks of a regional conflagration.
• In response to Q on Kata'ib Hezbollah statement saying they are suspending attacks on US sites, Austin states that actions of such groups are more important than words.
• Austin says he 'does not see an all-out conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah'.
• Calls directly on Iran to 'stop supplying Houthis with weapons', used to attack shipping in and around the Red Sea.
• Austin also gives update on his health following recent hospitalisations following cancer diagnosis and treatment. 'We did not handle this right, I did not handle this right.' Says there were no gaps in control. Lays out plan to formalise chain of command if the Secretary of Defense is out of action. Says he never considered resignation.