'US Doesn't Seek Conflict With Iran...': Biden Warns After Retaliatory Strikes In Syria
US forces launched airstrikes in Syria after a suspected Iranian-linked attack killed a US contractor and wounded seven other Americans. US President Joe Biden warned Iran following the airstrikes.
US President Joe Biden on Friday stressed that the country would respond “forcefully” to protect its personnel in Syria. The statement came as US forces launched airstrikes on sites in Syria being used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard after a suspected Iranian-linked attack on Thursday killed a US contractor and wounded seven other Americans.
In a statement shared by the White House, President Biden was quoted saying: “I was informed by my national security team, on the way over here, that — about an attack in Syria yesterday. An Iranian-backed militant group used an unmanned aerial vehicle to strike one of our facilities, causing several American casualties. One of our citizens tragically died in that attack.”
“And on the flight up yesterday, I spoke with our national security team and ordered an immediate response.”
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“Last night, U.S. military forces carried out a series of airstrikes in Syria targeting those responsible for attacking our personnel.”
“The United States does not — does not, I emphasize — seek conflict with Iran, but be prepared for us to act forcefully to protect our people,” the US President emphasised addressing a joint press conference in Ottawa with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
He added: “That’s exactly what happened last night. And we’re going to continue to keep up our efforts to counter terrorist threats in the region, in partnerships with Canada and other members of the coalition, to defeat ISIS.”
Biden offered condolences to the families of the Americans who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery for those who are wounded. He also thanked the US service members who carried out the retaliatory strikes.
Iran, US Strikes In Syria
While the U.S. and Iran have traded strikes in Syria previously, the fresh attacks threaten to disrupt recent efforts to de-escalate tensions across the wider Middle East where rival powers have made steps toward détente in recent days after years of turmoil, the Associated Press reported.
After Biden’s remarks, US officials said another service member was wounded on Friday in the latest tit-for-tat strikes in Syria, news agency Reuters reported.
On Thursday, Washington blamed a drone of Iranian origin for seven casualties, including the death of an American contractor while five U.S. troops and another contractor were wounded in the incident.
U.S. rocket fire on Friday targeted new areas in eastern Syria, Reuters cited two local sources as saying.
The latest tit-for-tat strikes in Syria could worsen already strained relations between Washington and Tehran after attempts to revive a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major powers stalled and Iranian drones are being used by Russia against Ukraine.
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