Biden Orders Reattack on Pro-Iran Militias After 4 Months

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[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] U.S. President Joe Biden carried out a retaliatory airstrike against pro-Iran militias for the first time in four months. This move is interpreted as both retaliation for attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq and a strategic consideration aimed at strengthening negotiation leverage in the stalled talks to restore the Iran nuclear deal.

On the 27th (local time), according to CNN and others, John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, stated, "We conducted airstrikes on two sites in Syria used as operational and weapons storage facilities by militias, and one site in Iraq," adding, "This was in retaliation for drone attacks by these militias on U.S. military bases and personnel in Iraq."

The Department of Defense added in a statement, "As demonstrated by tonight's airstrikes, President Biden has made it clear that he will act to protect Americans."

This is the second retaliatory airstrike by U.S. forces against pro-Iran militias since President Biden took office. Previously, in February, President Biden ordered airstrikes on targets in Syria in response to rocket attacks targeting the U.S. military base in Erbil, located in the Kurdish autonomous region of northern Iraq.

The recent airstrike came ahead of the 7th round of negotiations to restore the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). The Biden administration desires to restore the deal, but talks have been temporarily suspended due to unresolved differences among the parties involved. Furthermore, the election of hardline conservative Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi as Iran’s president has left the schedule for resuming negotiations undecided.

Meanwhile, on the same day, the U.S. held its first face-to-face meeting with the foreign minister of Israel’s new coalition government. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on a European tour, met with Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid in Rome, Italy, where they pledged close cooperation between their governments.

Minister Lapid said, "Israel holds some serious doubts about the ongoing Iran nuclear negotiations in Vienna, Austria," but added, "There is no relationship more important to Israel than with the United States. There is an opportunity for a fresh start with the new administrations of Israel and the U.S.," promising cooperation.

Secretary Blinken also stated, "We share the same goals and will work closely together." According to senior State Department officials, the meeting also covered the need for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.