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The United States has officially launched retaliatory Airstrikes against Iranian-backed militias in the Middle East. Speculation for how the Biden Administration would respond after dozens were wounded and three American soldiers killed by a drone in a military base in Jordan. Some politicians called for a military strike in Iran. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said in a statement, “I am calling on the Biden Administration to strike targets of significance inside Iran, not only as reprisal for the killing of our forces, but as deterrence against future aggression.” The response was carried out by U.S. Central Command Forces targeting 85 within Iraqi and Syria. A B1-Lancer, a long-range bomber with a wingspan of 137 feet and length of 146 feet, carried out these strikes. These strikes will not be the last, as more strikes are supposed to continue in the coming days.
A B-1B with wings swept full forward. [Courtesy: USAF]
The Pentagon's website says about the strikes that these targets were command centers, intelligence centers, and weapons storage. President Joe Biden said in a statement, “The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world," he said. "But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond." At the same time, Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi said he did not want to start a wider war in the Middle East, but that there would be a “strong response” if pressured. “We will not start any war, but if anyone wants to bully us, they will receive a strong response,” said President Biden just before the retaliatory airstrikes happened. The President attended a service for the three American service members who were killed last Sunday in Jordan. A reminder of the sacrifice that our servicemen abroad commit for our nation.
President Joe Biden, right, stands as an Army carry team moves the transfer case containing the remains of US Army Sgt. Kennedy Ladon Sanders, 24, of Waycross, Ga., at Dover Air Force Base, Del., Friday, Feb. 2, 2024. Sanders was killed in a drone attack in Jordan on Jan. 28. (AP/Matt Rourke)
Conflict in the Middle East has escalated since Israel and Hamas went to war. Houthis rebels in Yemen have also targeted shipping vessels in the Gulf of Aden with U.S and Allied forces striking at Houthis-held outposts. The United States is walking on a type of rope of deterrence and full-scale war. The Biden Administration has said it did not want a full-scale war in the Middle East. The question remains whether the retaliatory airstrikes were effective enough to deter Iranian-backed militias or whether it encourages them more to attack American servicemen in the Region.