By Al-Fassel | 2024-02-02

At 4.00pm (EST) on February 2, US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted air strikes in Iraq and Syria against Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Quds Force and affiliated militia groups.

US military forces struck more than 85 targets with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from the United States. The air strikes employed more than 125 precision munitions.

The facilities that were struck included command and control operation centers, intelligence centers, rockets, missiles and unmanned aerial vehicle storage sites, and logistics and munition supply chain facilities of militia groups and their IRGC sponsors who facilitated attacks against US and coalition forces.

These strikes come as a response to the latest attacks conducted by these militias on US troops in a base in Jordan where three service members were killed and dozens injured.

The United States used its B1 Lancer bomber, which, according to the US Air Force, can carry bombs that weigh 34,000kg and is designed to fly at low altitudes where radars cannot detect it. This bomber is also capable of targeting any enemy personnel, anywhere, under any circumstances, and it can carry a larger quantity of missiles than can any other US bomber.

The continual attacks on US bases and interests by armed militias supported by Iran in the Middle East will destabilize the security of the region, given that the United States is there based on invitation by ally countries to train and assist their security forces.

Iran will not achieve its goals by using its proxies to attack US forces hosted by partner nations, according to CENTCOM. Instead, these actions will only further isolate Iran from the governments and populations of these countries. These countries are trying to live peacefully, and Iran should act responsibly and cease its proxies' hostilities.

Iran must understand that the US government has vowed to protect waterways that are vital to the world economy and also to protect its troops and interests in the region; the United States will use all necessary diplomatic channels and political and military measures to ensure achieving that goal.