US President Joe Biden and his wife at the repatriation ceremony for the bodies of three US soldiers killed in Jordan (Photo: AFP).
Following the attack on a Jordanian base that killed three US servicemen earlier this week, the US military has launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian-backed forces in both Syria and Iraq. The US’s regional deterrence move is clearly aimed not only at groups in the Middle East but also at Iran.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the US military had attacked more than 85 targets. In addition, White House National Security Council coordinator John Kirby announced that the response campaign would not stop here.
"The facilities attacked included command and control centers, intelligence, missile and combat equipment, and logistics supply chains. They were all funded by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its affiliates to attack the United States and its allies," CENTCOM said.
In Iraq and Syria, Iran-backed groups have attacked US forces more than 150 times since President Joe Biden took office, mostly without causing casualties.
Elsewhere, the Israeli military and Hezbollah in Lebanon continue to clash. Yemen’s Houthis have also launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and threatened international shipping in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade.
According to the US argument, Iran is looking to counter its presence in the Middle East and trying to push US forces out of the region.
The US said its retaliatory strikes were part of an effort to stop Iran's attacks and deter future attacks, while reassuring Americans that their security would be assured. On the other hand, the White House wanted to avoid a regional escalation that could spark an all-out conflict in the Middle East.
In Iraq, the US has eliminated many opposition leaders and bombed targets including drones and a ground control center. However, Washington has so far avoided hitting targets inside Iran.
However, it is difficult to stop Iran by simply going after its proxies. While Iran may have control over many of its proxies, it would not be directly responsible for any attacks by armed groups.
For example, some Iranian officials are believed to sit on the leadership council of Kataib Hezbollah, and the group has weighed Iran’s stance on ceasefires in the past. The Houthis are less ideologically influenced by Iran, but the country arms, trains, and finances them, giving Tehran considerable influence. As a result, Iran can fight without risking its own forces.
Iran-backed militant groups also gain political and religious credibility, increasing their prestige among Muslims. For Iran, supporting these groups is a way to demonstrate its willingness to protect Muslims from the anti-Palestinian campaigns waged by the United States and Israel.
Directly targeting Iran risks triggering a massive backlash that could spark an irreversible chain of conflict. Tehran has certainly warned repeatedly that it will retaliate if the Americans attack, not to mention its proxies across the Middle East.
However, Iran also has no intention of rushing into a direct war with the US, where they clearly know they have no chance of winning.
Even as the clashes continue, both sides must guard against escalation. Iran has denied any involvement in the attack on US forces in Jordan. For its part, the US gave advance notice days before the attacks, allowing Iran and key group leaders to relocate, seek shelter and limit casualties.
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