Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday that Iran is preparing for a large-scale military assault on Israel, according to a report by Axios journalist Barak Ravid, who cited a source with knowledge of the call.

In a statement released on Monday, Gallant’s office confirmed the overnight phone call between the two officials, noting that the two defense chiefs discussed the need for enhanced operational and strategic coordination in light of the evolving threats from Iran. The discussion also focused on the readiness of the Israeli military to respond to any Iranian aggression.

In response to the escalating tensions, Austin has ordered the deployment of a guided missile submarine to the Middle East, bolstering U.S. military presence in the region. This move comes on the heels of an earlier announcement by the U.S. military, which revealed plans to deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to strengthen Israeli defenses.