US approves multi-day strikes against Iranian targets in Iraq, Syria

Plans for multi-day strikes in Syria and Iraq against targets including “Iranian personnel and facilities” have been approved by the US government, according to a report by CBS News on Thursday, citing US officials.

The report comes after days of speculation over Washington’s potential response to the Saturday drone attack that killed three US military personnel in Jordan. This is the first time that US casualties have occurred in a wave of escalating violence across Middle Eastern flashpoints since Israel’s war in Gaza started in October.

Reporters were informed by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin that US efforts will be made to prevent a broader confrontation.

Under pressure to act decisively without starting a bigger conflict with Iran, President Joe Biden announced he has chosen his course of action but did not provide specifics. Tehran has declared that it will retaliate against any attacks on its territory, people, or interests overseas.

Weather would have an impact on when the strikes happened, according to US sources cited in the CBS story. Washington wanted clear skies to reduce the possibility of hitting civilians.

According to Washington, the pro-Iranian group Ketaib Hezbollah, which is located in neighboring Iraq, left “footprints” on the attack on its troops on Saturday in Jordan close to the Syrian border.

After Israel launched its offensive in Gaza in response to attacks by Hamas militants on October 7, violence broke out in several Middle Eastern countries where Iran’s allied “axis of resistance” armed groups operate. The United States has 900 troops in Syria and about 2,500 in Iraq, and Iranian advisers support armed groups in both countries. That group announced on Wednesday that it was suspending military action against US forces in order to avoid embarrassing Baghdad.

Further away, the Houthi movement, affiliated with Iran and in control of the majority of Yemen’s population, has attacked Red Sea vessels in what it claims is a show of solidarity with Gaza, prompting retaliatory actions from the US and the UK.

The US military reported that it had struck up to ten drones in Yemen that were getting ready to take off over night. Three Iranian-made drones and a Houthi anti-ship missile were also shot down by a US Navy ship.

(With agency inputs)