Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III’s Call With Iraqi Minister of Defense Jumaah Saadoon
Feb. 16, 2021

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Iraqi Minister of Defense Jumaah Saadoon. Secretary Austin condemned yesterday’s attack against U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq, and expressed condolences to the Iraqi people. Secretary Austin and Minister Saadoon also both expressed condolences for the U.S. service member who was injured in the attack.

The Iraqi people deserve a secure and stable Iraq, and the United States remains committed to supporting our Iraqi partners in their efforts to defend Iraq’s sovereignty. Both leaders reaffirmed commitment to the strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq.