Trump makes decisions on Middle East 'looking at all our strategic interests': Pentagon chief

​​​​​​​By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - President Donald Trump makes decisions on the Middle East, the head of the Pentagon said Friday when asked about a possible US troops withdrawal from Syria.

"I look forward to talking about our alliance with Australia, but as it pertains to the Middle East, those are decisions made by the President United States looking at all our strategic interests," Pete Hegseth told reporters ahead of a meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles.

His remarks came amid reports that the Department of Defense is developing plans to withdraw US troops from Syria.

"Here at the Pentagon, what we do is: We plan. So, we're going to plan for every possible contingency, no matter what," Hegseth said.

Trump was asked last month whether he informed the Israeli government about pulling US troops from Syria.

"I don’t know who said that. I mean, I don’t know who said that, but we’ll make a determination on that. We’re not getting, we’re not involved in Syria," he told reporters.

"Syria is its own mess. They got enough messes over there. They don’t need us involved in everyone," he added.

According to a Pentagon announcement in December, the US has 2,000 troops deployed in Syria.