The U.S. Retaliatory Strikes in Iraq and Syria have been launched against Iran-backed militias. This action, a response to a drone attack on a remote U.S. base in Jordan, resulted in the death of three American soldiers and left more than 40 others wounded.
The U.S. military forces struck over 85 targets, including command and control centers and drone storage sites, according to the U.S. Central Command. This military action marks a significant escalation in Washington’s efforts to deter the growing threat from Iran-backed groups across the Middle East.
“Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing,” President Joe Biden stated, emphasizing the U.S.’s commitment to responding to the drone attack.
The Biden administration had previously made it clear that the U.S. would take military action following the drone attack by Iran-backed militants. In the wake of the attack, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin promised a “multitier response” and officials revealed that President Biden had settled on a plan expected to unfold over multiple days, possibly weeks. As part of this plan, American forces are expected to hit targets in different countries outside Iran.
Despite the strong response, the U.S. has emphasized that it does not seek a war with Iran or a wider conflict in the region.
“We will continue to work to avoid a wider conflict in a region, but we will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, our interests, and our people,” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin underscored at a Pentagon news conference.
Iran has denied involvement in the drone attack and has also stated that it does not seek a direct confrontation with the U.S. “We will not start any war but, if anyone wants to bully us, they will receive a strong response,” the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi warned, highlighting Iran’s stance on the situation.
However, the pace of rocket and drone attacks has dramatically increased following the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip. The Pentagon reports that there have been more than 160 attacks on U.S. forces by Iran-backed groups since Oct. 7.
The situation in the region remains tense, with Houthi forces in Yemen attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden with drones and missiles. They have vowed to continue until Israel halts its military campaign in Gaza.
In response, U.S. Navy warships have shot down dozens of the Houthi drones and missiles, but some have hit commercial vessels, prompting major shipping companies to shift cargo onto other, longer routes.
The U.S. military has also carried out strikes against Houthi forces in Yemen, hitting launch sites and command centers. However, it remains unclear if the Biden administration will choose to target Iranian ships suspected of assisting the Houthis with electronic intelligence.
The last time the U.S. military targeted an Iranian ship was in 1988 when the Navy launched retaliatory attacks in the Persian Gulf after an American vessel was hit by a mine planted by Iran. Tehran has denied direct involvement in the Jordan incident but has warned that it will respond to any threat from the U.S.
“We hear threats coming from American officials, we tell them that they have already tested us and we now know one another, no threat will be left unanswered,” the chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, Hossein Salami, stated, underscoring the seriousness of the situation and the potential for further escalation.
As the situation continues to evolve, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the escalating tensions. These statements from key figures involved in the situation underscore the complexity and potential for escalation in this ongoing conflict.
