Following the Friday night airstrikes by the United States on multiple bases affiliated with Iranian-backed militias, it appears that these retaliation strikes might mark the initiation of a more aggressive series of planned attacks in the coming days. This Sunday, the US issued a warning to Iran and its supported factions, stating that further attacks will be carried out if American forces in the region continue to be subjected to targeting.. Notably, on Friday night US conducted major airstrikes on at least 85 targets as a payback to a drone strike by Pro-Iran militias killing three US troops and injuring 40 others in Jordan.
While giving a direct warning to Iran on Sunday, United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that Friday’s retaliation against 85 targets in Iraq and Syria linked with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was just the beginning and will not end soon. Sullivan added that the US had no intention of stopping the response, signalling that this might ultimately result in an escalation of the tensions in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, influential leaders within the Iraqi government, known for their close ties to Iran, have called for an immediate withdrawal of US troops from their region, asserting that such a move is essential to prevent an escalation of hostilities in the area. The recent US airstrikes, a subject of debate, are slated to be discussed during an emergency session of the UN Security Council in New York on Monday. It is anticipated that US diplomats are likely to emphasize the strikes on Iran as “acts of self-defense.” With the similar concerns, the US now might highlight that the presence of American troops in the Middle Eastern country is at the request of the Iraqi government.
On the other hand, Iran has issued a cautionary message to the US, advising against any actions targeting the Iranian-flagged vessel Beshad, currently positioned in the Red Sea. Iran contends that the ship is on a mission to collaborate with the International Maritime Organisation, safeguarding Iranian vessels from pirate threats. While warning against any assault on this vessel, Iran asserted that it would entail consequences for those contemplating such actions.
The warning comes after the third wave strikes by the United States and Britain in Yemen on Saturday night, backed by six other nations, including Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain. Targeting 36 Houthi sites, the strikes focused on 13 locations throughout the country. The objectives included hitting underground weapons storage, missile systems, launchers, and other capabilities employed by the Houthis to target shipping in the Red Sea.
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