In a strong message to Iran, the United States conducted two airstrikes on facilities used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and its proxies in eastern Syria early Friday. These strikes were in retaliation for a series of recent rocket and drone attacks against American forces in Iraq and Syria. The Biden administration has blamed these attacks on Tehran's proxies in the region.

The targets of the airstrikes represent a significant escalation, as they directly targeted facilities used by Iran's own forces in the region, not just the militias in Iraq and Syria that Iran supports. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III stated that these precision self-defense strikes were in response to ongoing attacks against U.S. personnel by Iranian-backed militia groups. He emphasized that the United States does not seek conflict and has no desire for further hostilities, but the Iranian-backed attacks against U.S. forces are unacceptable and must stop.

These airstrikes come amidst efforts by the Biden administration to contain the war between Israel and Hamas and prevent it from escalating into a wider regional conflict involving Iran and its proxies in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. To deter Iran and its proxies, the U.S. has deployed two aircraft carriers to the eastern Mediterranean near Israel and has sent additional warplanes to the Persian Gulf region. Additionally, the Pentagon has rushed additional Patriot antimissile batteries and other air defenses to Gulf nations to protect U.S. troops and bases in the region.

The recent attacks against U.S. forces by Iranian-backed groups have been a cause of concern. According to the Pentagon, these groups have targeted U.S. forces with a combination of drones and rockets at least 16 times since October 17. While the most recent attack in Erbil, Iraq, did not result in any injuries, there have been 19 U.S. service members diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries and two others with minor injuries as a result of these attacks. However, all of the troops have since returned to duty.

President Biden has made it clear that the U.S. will respond if these attacks continue. In a warning to the Ayatollah, he emphasized that the U.S. will take action if Iranian-backed groups continue to target U.S. troops. He clarified that this response has nothing to do with Israel but is solely focused on protecting American forces.

These retaliatory strikes are part of the Biden administration's efforts to deter Iranian-backed groups and Iran itself. Over the weekend, the Pentagon announced that it is surging support to the Middle East to enhance the protection of U.S. forces. This includes the deployment of the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier strike group and additional air defense systems.

Thursday's strikes mark the second retaliatory action taken by the Biden administration this year against Iranian-backed militias. In March, the U.S. carried out precision airstrikes in eastern Syria following an attack on a base hosting U.S. and coalition forces. These attacks resulted in the death of a U.S. contractor, the injury of five U.S. service members, and the injury of another U.S. contractor.

Currently, there are approximately 900 U.S. troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of the mission to defeat ISIS. The United States remains committed to protecting its forces and sending a clear message to Iran to rein in its proxies' attacks in the region.