US Central Command has announced that its military forces struck more than 85 targets in Syria and Iraq in retaliation against “Iran-affiliated” fighters that killed three U.S soldiers in a recent drone attack in Jordan.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of Iran-linked groups, claimed responsibility for the drone attack.
However, Iran has denied directing the attack, saying the groups act on their own.
“At my direction, US military forces struck targets at facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and affiliated militia use to attack US forces,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement, referring to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).
The United States military signalled that further action against Iran-linked groups is planned following its air strikes on Iraq and Syria.
General Michael Erik Kurilla, Commander of the U.S Central Command, said in a post on X, “Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps [IRGC] Quds Force and affiliated militia groups continue to represent a direct threat to the stability of Iraq, the region, and the safety of Americans.”
He added, “We will continue to take action, do whatever is necessary to protect our people, and hold those responsible who threaten their safety.”
The White House disclosed that it informed Iraq before it carried out its air strikes inside the country after the Iraqi military accused Washington of violating the country’s sovereignty.
“We did inform the Iraqi government prior to the strikes,” White House National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby told reporters in a press briefing.
“We do not seek conflict with Iran,” Kirby added.
“These targets were chosen to disrupt the capabilities of the IRGC and the groups they sponsor. We believe these targets fell into that criteria. The goal is to get these attacks to stop. We’re not looking for a war with Iran.”
John Kirby
Kirby added that the strikes were believed to be successful and Washington’s responses to the drone attack “aren’t going to end tonight.”
Kirby’s remarks came shortly after a Spokesperson for the Commander-in-chief of the Iraqi armed forces condemned the strikes.
“These strikes constitute a violation of Iraqi sovereignty, an undermining of the efforts of the Iraqi government, and a threat that will drag Iraq and the region into undesirable consequences, the consequences of which will be dire for security and stability in Iraq and the region,” Yahya Rasool was quoted as saying.
US President Joe Biden’s decision to launch air strikes against Iran-linked targets in Iraq and Syria was welcomed by both Democrats and Republicans, although some conservative lawmakers are complaining they did not go far enough.
Democratic Senator Jack Reed, who chairs the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, said Iran’s proxy forces had been “dealt a significant blow”, and Iranian-linked armed groups in the region should understand they would be held accountable.
“I salute the brave US military members who carried out today’s strikes, and I support President Biden’s robust action,” Reed said.
“These strikes, in concert with wise diplomacy, send a clear signal that the United States will continue to take appropriate action to protect our personnel and our interests.”
Joni Ernst, a Republican senator from Iowa, said the strikes were overdue and Iran “needs to know the price for American lives”.
U.S House Speaker Mike Johnson Accuses Biden Of Appeasing Iran
However, Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the U.S House of Representatives, accused President Joe Biden of “placating” Iran and “excessive signalling” about the air strikes launched in retaliation for last week’s drone attack that killed three U.S troops.
“Unfortunately, the administration waited for a week and telegraphed to the world, including to Iran, the nature of our response,” Johnson said in a statement posted on X.
“The public handwringing and excessive signalling undercuts our ability to put a decisive end to the barrage of attacks endured over the past few months.”
“Now is the time for President Biden to wake up to the reality that his policy of placating Iran has failed,” Johnson added.
“To promote peace, America must project strength,” he asserted.
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