US Retaliatory Strikes Against Iran-Linked Forces in Iraq and Syria... Critical Moment for Escalation

The United States launched retaliatory strikes on Iraq and Syria on the 2nd (local time) against Iran-linked forces that attacked a U.S. military base stationed in Jordan with drones, killing three U.S. soldiers.

The U.S. retaliatory strikes were carried out immediately after the bodies of the deceased U.S. soldiers were repatriated to the U.S. mainland earlier that day. The United States plans to continue multi-stage retaliatory strikes against the perpetrators and their backers, and Iran, which the U.S. has identified as behind the attack, has declared it will respond strongly if threatened, placing the escalation in the Middle East at a critical crossroads. The U.S. Central Command announced at 4 p.m. Eastern Time that day that it had conducted airstrikes against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militias in Iraq and Syria.

The airstrikes targeted more than 85 sites across seven locations, including command and control facilities, rocket, missile, and drone storage warehouses. The U.S. military stated that many fighter jets, including the strategic bomber B-1 Lancer from the U.S. mainland, were deployed for the operation, and over 125 precision-guided munitions were used. The Associated Press reported that both manned and unmanned drones were employed in the airstrikes.

President Joe Biden said in a statement that day, "Under my direction, U.S. forces struck facilities used by the IRGC and IRGC-affiliated militias to attack U.S. forces," adding, "Our response has begun today and will continue at a time and place of our choosing." He continued, "The United States does not seek war in the Middle East or elsewhere in the world," but warned, "We will make clear to those who harm us that if they harm Americans, we will respond."

John Kirby, White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications, confirmed in a briefing that attacks targeted 85 sites across seven facilities?three in Iraq and three in Syria. He said, "The 30-minute strike involved more than 125 precision-guided munitions, including B-1 bombers." Kirby explained, "Targets included command and control centers, intelligence facilities, and missile and drone storage sites," adding, "These targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties and there is clear and indisputable evidence linking them to the attack that caused U.S. casualties."

He said, "While assessments of the current combat situation are ongoing, the strike is considered successful," emphasizing, "We will not hesitate to hold accountable those who harm Americans at a time and place of our choosing." He also noted, "The strike began today but will not end today. Additional strikes will occur, and today's strike was the first in that effort," but declined to comment on specific future military actions. Kirby stated, "We do not seek conflict with Iran, and the purpose of this strike is not war with Iran but to deter attacks by the IRGC and affiliated groups," adding, "There has been no communication with Iran since the deaths of three U.S. soldiers in Jordan."

Syrian state media reported shortly after the U.S. retaliatory strikes that U.S. forces hit multiple locations including the Syria-Iraq border area and the Syrian desert, resulting in numerous casualties. Syria's Al-Hadath broadcast reported that the U.S. bombed more than 11 sites along the Syria-Iraq border, and AFP cited the civilian group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reporting that at least 13 pro-Iranian fighters may have been killed in the strikes.

Earlier, a U.S. military base in Jordan was attacked by drones on the 27th of last month, killing three U.S. soldiers and injuring more than 40. President Joe Biden immediately declared a policy of retaliation. On the 31st of last month, the White House identified Kata'ib Hezbollah, part of the coalition group 'Iraqi Islamic Resistance,' as responsible for the attack on the U.S. base. The U.S. government finalized targets for retaliatory strikes in Iraq and Syria, which reportedly include Iranian facilities, according to CBS News. The U.S. government has stated that the retaliatory strikes will be ongoing multi-stage operations rather than a one-time strike.

However, the United States has stated it does not seek war with Iran or escalation in the Middle East. In this context, it is reported that the U.S. does not plan to conduct direct strikes within Iranian territory. Relatedly, the U.S. military reportedly did not directly target senior leaders of the IRGC Quds Force, according to the Associated Press.

Iran has also stated it does not seek war but will respond if threatened. Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said in a televised speech, "We will not start any war, but if we are threatened, there will be a strong response."

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