U.S. forces have launched multiple strikes against dozens of Iranian-linked sites in Syria and Iraq, U.S. officials said on February 2, in retaliation for a drone attack in Jordan that killed three U.S. service members on January 28 and which Washington blamed on Tehran.
"Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement released shortly afterward.
"The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," he added.
The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, which has extensive contacts inside Syria, said at least 18 pro-Iranian fighters had been killed in a strike in Syria.
"At least 18 pro-Iran fighters have been killed in strikes in eastern Syria likely carried out by the Unites States," it said, adding that three "non-Syrians" were among those killed in strikes near Mayadin in Syria.
U.S. Central Command earlier confirmed the strikes, saying its forces "conducted air strikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups."
"U.S. military forces struck more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States," it said on social media.
"The facilities that were struck included command and control operations, centers, intelligence centers, rockets, and missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicle storages, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against U.S. and Coalition forces," it added.
U.S. officials later called the action "successful" and said all aircraft returned safely to their bases.
Syrian state media said that "American aggression" had caused a number of casualties in several sites in Syria's desert areas along the border with Iraq.
An Iraqi military spokesman also assailed what he called a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. The Pentagon still bases about 2,000 troops in Iraq, and any U.S. military action there is a sensitive issue with the government in Baghdad.
U.S. officials have said the deadly January 28 attack in Jordan carried the "footprints" of the Tehran-sponsored Kataib Hizballah militia in Iraq and vowed to hold those responsible to account at a time and place of Washington's choosing, most likely in Syria or Iraq.
On January 31, Kataib Hizballah extremists in Iraq announced a "suspension" of operations against U.S. forces. The group said the pause was meant to prevent "embarrassing" the Iraqi government and hinted that the drone attack had been linked to the U.S. support of Israel in the war in Gaza.
SEE ALSO: Iran Says It's 'Not Looking For War,' But Is Ready For OneU.S. President Joe Biden has been under pressure from opposition Republicans to take a harder line against Iran following the Jordan attack.
When asked by reporters in Florida on January 30 if he had decided on how to respond to the attack, Biden said, "Yes."
"I don't think we need a wider war in the Middle East. That's not what I'm looking for," he added.
Biden on February 2 witnessed the return to the United States of the remains of the three soldiers killed in Jordan at a service at the Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.