Israeli defense minister raises 'need to deal with Iran’s aggression' in phone call with US counterpart Lloyd Austin, whom he knew when both were still in uniform

93-2 vote comes despite prohibition on recently retired military officers overseeing Pentagon; Biden expected to win approval for rest of national security team in coming days

US president-elect says retired general Lloyd Austin is 'the definition of duty, honor, country,' but House Democrat says nomination 'feels off'

Austin would be first Black leader of Pentagon, selected ahead of longtime front-runner Michele Flournoy; move likely to draw opposition over putting ex-military man in post