The US Department of Defense said on Wednesday that Secretary of State Lloyd Austin told Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz during a phone call that it was important for the United States and Israel to be in close consultation on events in Syria.

"Secretary Austin stressed the importance of close consultation between the United States and Israel on the events taking place in Syria," the ministry said in a statement. Austin told Katz that Washington is monitoring developments in Syria and supports a peaceful, inclusive political transition, it added.