US Greenlights Plans for Strikes on Iranian Targets Following Drone Attack
The United States has reportedly given approval for a series of planned strikes on Iranian targets situated in Syria and Iraq, as revealed by officials speaking to CBS News, a partner of the BBC in the US. According to these officials, the planned strikes, expected to unfold over several days, are contingent on favourable weather conditions.
The decision to proceed with these strikes comes in the aftermath of a drone attack near the Syrian border in Jordan, resulting in the tragic deaths of three US soldiers. The US attributes the attack to an Iranian-backed militia group known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, believed to comprise multiple militias armed, funded, and trained by Iran's Revolutionary Guards force. Iran has consistently denied any involvement in the incident, despite its purported association with the militia group responsible.
Response to the Drone Attack:
While the US government has pledged a response to the drone attack, both President Joe Biden and other officials have emphasized that the intent is not to escalate the situation into a broader conflict with Iran. The incident adds to the rising tensions in the region, with several Iran-backed groups intensifying their attacks on entities linked to the US and Israel since the commencement of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7.
Wider Regional Dynamics:
The blog post notes that beyond the specific incident prompting these planned strikes, there has been a notable increase in attacks by Iran-backed groups. For instance, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have targeted ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, prompting retaliatory strikes by the US and its allies. A recent development mentioned is the shooting down of a drone in the Gulf of Aden and the destruction of an unmanned sea drone in the Red Sea.
Recovery and Presidential Involvement:
The bodies of the three US soldiers killed in the drone attack are expected to be repatriated to a Delaware Air Force base, with President Biden scheduled to attend the event. This highlights the gravity of the situation and underscores the significance of the incident in the eyes of the US administration.
The unfolding events point to an escalation of tensions between the US and Iran, with the US government's approval of plans for strikes indicating a firm response to the perceived threat. The geopolitical landscape in the region remains volatile, and the repercussions of these actions will likely have far-reaching consequences. The situation calls for close monitoring as it develops further.