WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials have given the green light for a series of strikes against targets in Iraq and Syria, including Iranian personnel and facilities. The strikes are in response to recent drone and rocket attacks on U.S. forces in the region, including an attack on Sunday that killed three U.S. service members at the Tower 22 base inside Jordan, near the Syrian border. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin confirmed the plans at a news conference at the Pentagon on Thursday, emphasizing that the U.S. will not tolerate any attacks on American troops.
Austin also acknowledged the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, as well as attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen on commercial shipping in the region. He stated that the U.S. is committed to avoiding a wider conflict in the region but will take all necessary actions to defend the United States, its interests, and its people. The timing of the strikes will be influenced by weather conditions, as U.S. officials prefer to have better visibility of selected targets to avoid hitting civilians who might enter the area at the last moment.
Although the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah has announced a suspension of military operations against American forces, there is no indication that this declaration is delaying the planned retaliatory strikes by the U.S. military. Austin responded to the group’s statement by stating that the U.S. will closely monitor their actions in the future.
The U.S. has been facing increased attacks from various Iran-backed groups in the Middle East, especially amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Austin reassured reporters that the U.S. aims to hold the right people accountable without escalating the conflict in the region, and that they have the ability to respond multiple times depending on the situation.
Meanwhile, Israel has continued its offensive in Gaza, claiming to take all measures to avoid harming civilians while vowing to continue the offensive until Hamas is destroyed. The U.S. has identified Iran as a vital supporter of Hamas, as well as other groups in the region such as the Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon, who have engaged in actions against Western interests in support of the Palestinian people.
U.S. officials have reported the downing of a drone over the Gulf of Aden and the destruction of an explosive sea drone in the Red Sea, indicating the ongoing tensions and military activities in the region. Despite the complexities and risks involved, the U.S. remains determined to protect its interests and respond decisively to any threats against its personnel in the Middle East.