Iran Criticizes U.S. Retaliatory Strikes in Iraq and Syria, Warns of Escalation
In a recent development, Iran has strongly condemned the retaliatory strikes conducted by the United States on Iran-backed militant resources and facilities in Iraq and Syria. The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, warned that these strikes could potentially lead to a significant escalation of tensions and instability in the region. Kanaani further criticized the Biden Administration, calling the attack a “strategic mistake.”
The Iranian spokesperson emphasized that these strikes violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of both Iraq and Syria. The Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq reported that 16 of its members had been killed, while 23 were killed in Syria. Additionally, there were reports of civilian casualties in both countries. However, the Iraqi government has refuted the Biden Administration’s claim that they were informed before the strikes, dismissing it as “an unfounded claim crafted to mislead international public opinion.”
The Iraqi government expressed deep concern over the situation, stating that these strikes would push the security situation in Iraq and the region to the brink of chaos. As a sign of protest, Iraq’s Foreign Ministry summoned David Burger, the U.S. chargé d’affaires to Baghdad.
These alarmed responses from Iran and Iraq highlight the delicate balancing act that the United States must maintain to avoid further escalation in the region. The Biden Administration conducted these retaliatory strikes in response to a deadly Iran-backed attack on a U.S. outpost in Jordan, which resulted in the deaths of three American troops. The White House has indicated that these strikes are only the first in a series of responses.
John Kirby, the White House National Security Council coordinator, stated that there would be additional responses designed to put an end to these attacks and weaken the capabilities of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The targets of the strikes were chosen because they were believed to be connected to previous attacks on U.S. personnel.
The U.S. officials have clarified that their goal is to stop these attacks and that they are not seeking a wider war with Iran. They have also claimed that the targets were carefully selected to avoid civilian casualties. Lt. Gen. Douglas Sims, the Director of Operations of the Joint Staff, confirmed that the strikes hit their intended targets, with secondary explosions indicating the destruction of ammunition and logistics locations.
The U.S. military conducted these strikes with precision, hitting over 85 targets using more than 125 precision-guided munitions. Overall, seven different facilities were targeted. The Department of Defense is currently assessing the damage caused by these strikes.
It remains uncertain how the Iranian and Iraqi responses, as well as the reported civilian casualties, will influence the Biden Administration’s next steps. At the time of reporting, the White House and State Department had not provided any comments, while the Pentagon declined to comment.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, it is crucial for all parties involved to exercise restraint and seek diplomatic solutions to avoid further escalation. The situation remains fluid, and the international community will closely monitor developments in the coming days.