Australia Supports US 'Retaliatory' Strikes Against Iran-Backed Militias

Australia has expressed support for the United States following President Joe Biden's order for 'retaliatory' airstrikes against Iran-backed groups, just days after three American forces were killed and dozens injured. A spokesperson for the Australian Deputy Prime Minister stated today that 'the intentions of the United States in carrying out these attacks are clear.' The spokesperson condemned the attacks by Iran-backed militias on American forces in Jordan, emphasizing that the United States has explicitly stated that these strikes were in response to the deaths of American personnel. 'We know that Iran has long been a malign actor in the region, including supporting Hamas and other terrorists.' Last week, following an attack by Iran-backed militias on a base in Jordan, three American soldiers were killed and dozens injured. President Joe Biden warned on Friday evening [Eastern Time] at the start of the retaliatory strikes: 'If you harm an American, we will respond.' Starting early Saturday local time, the United States conducted a series of airstrikes targeting centers and bases of forces affiliated with the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria and Iraq, which according to the U.S. President is the first phase of a series of attacks following the deaths of three American soldiers in Jordan. U.S. defense officials stated that the retaliatory strikes targeted 85 sites, including command and control centers as well as missile storage facilities. CENTCOM: The IRGC and its proxies remain a direct threat to the region. Michael Pregent: Senior IRGC commanders should be targeted by U.S. attacks. Report by Kambiz Tavana on John Kirby's phone call and the mention of bombers flying from the U.S. to the region. National Security Council of the White House: The airstrikes in Iraq and Syria were successful, but this is not the end. Reactions in the U.S. to the airstrikes in Syria and Iraq; lawmakers from both parties welcomed them.