US Warns of Further Attacks on Iran-Backed Sites in Iraq and Syria

The White House has stated that its recent air strikes on Iran-backed targets in Iraq and Syria are just the beginning of its response to Iran. National security adviser Jake Sullivan has confirmed that there will be more steps taken by the US. The air strikes were in response to the deaths of three soldiers in a drone attack on a military base in Jordan, which Iran denies involvement in but the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an affiliate of Iran, claimed responsibility for. The US accuses Iran of being connected to the attack as the drone used was Iranian-made. President Joe Biden sent a letter to Congress, as required by law, within 48 hours of the military action, explaining that the strikes targeted facilities used by Iran's armed forces and militia groups linked to them. The aim of the strikes was to deter further attacks from these groups and to limit the risk of escalation and civilian casualties. Biden also mentioned that additional measures would be taken against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and IRGC-affiliated personnel and facilities. Following the air strikes in Iraq and Syria, joint strikes with the UK were conducted on 36 Houthi targets in Yemen. These strikes caused significant explosions in the south of the capital city of Sana'a, leading to concerns from human rights activists and local residents. The Houthi militants have been carrying out attacks on shipping vessels in the Red Sea, resulting in major shipping companies avoiding the waterway. Egypt has reported a substantial decline in revenue from the Suez Canal, with fewer ships passing through in January. The Houthi officials responded defiantly to the US-led strikes and promised to retaliate. They emphasized their support for the Palestinian people in Gaza and declared that the attacks would not deter them. The US retaliation is drawing condemnation from other regional governments, including Iraq and Syria. Iraq's senior adviser to the prime minister expressed his concerns over the strikes and emphasized that Iraq is a sovereign state. In Baghdad, a crowd gathered to mourn the deaths of pro-Tehran militia members killed in the US air strikes. They chanted anti-American slogans and carried pictures of the victims. Oman's foreign minister also expressed grave concerns over the escalating situation in the region, criticizing the effectiveness of the US retaliatory attacks and their impact on stability and efforts to combat violence and extremism. National security adviser Jake Sullivan stated that the US believes the strikes have effectively degraded the capabilities of the militias. He emphasized that the US is not seeking an ongoing military campaign in the Middle East but is prepared to respond to any threats. However, he did not confirm whether strikes inside Iran were being considered. Since the air strikes in Iraq and Syria, there has been one attack on American forces in Syria, but no injuries or damage were reported. US Secretary of State Blinken is currently traveling to the region, with a priority of securing a hostage deal with Hamas to pause the hostilities in Gaza. The US plans to press for this deal, but it ultimately depends on Hamas's actions.