Reactions in the U.S. to Airstrikes in Syria and Iraq; Lawmakers from Both Parties Welcomed the Action

Some U.S. officials reacted positively to the U.S. military's airstrikes against the positions of Iranian proxy forces in Iraq and Syria in response to the killing of three American soldiers and the wounding of about 40 others in Jordan. According to The Hill, Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House, stated that the killing of American soldiers on Jordanian soil required a decisive and clear response, but he also criticized the operation for being 'delayed.' He noted that 'the Biden administration should have long ago accepted that the strategy of appeasing the Islamic Republic would have disastrous consequences for the global community,' adding that these 'strikes were conducted a week late and after the world, including the Iranian government, was informed of the details of the attack.' According to Reuters, Jack Reed, the Democratic Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, 'A significant blow was dealt to the Iranian regime's proxy forces in Syria and Iraq so that other Iranian-affiliated militants across the Middle East understand that they too will be held accountable for their actions.' He added, 'I salute the brave members of the U.S. military who carried out today's strikes and support President Biden's strong action. These strikes, in coordination with wise diplomacy, send a clear signal that the United States will continue to take appropriate actions to protect its personnel and interests.' Roger Wicker, a Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also welcomed the U.S. attacks on the bases belonging to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iranian proxy forces in the region, stating, 'While we welcome these military strikes, it was an action that was taken far too late for the three brave Americans who lost their lives and nearly 50 others who were injured.' This Republican senator added, 'The Islamic Republic and its proxy forces have attempted to kill American soldiers 165 times and sink our warships in the past four months, while the Biden administration congratulates itself for doing this, and instead of breaking the ayatollah's nose, we are merely slapping him.' The U.S. military targeted Quds Force elements and affiliated militia groups in Iraq and Syria early Saturday, February 3, local time, using over 125 precision munitions, destroying 85 areas including command and control operation centers, intelligence centers, rocket and missile depots, drone storage facilities, and supply chain logistics and ammunition facilities of militia groups and supporters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Yahya Rasool, the Iraqi military spokesman, called the U.S. airstrikes a violation of his country's sovereignty and stated that this action undermines the Iraqi government's efforts and poses a threat that could lead Iraq and the region to dire consequences. U.S. President Joe Biden, after the U.S. military operations in Iraq and Syria, issued a statement saying, 'Today's strikes were carried out at my direction and will continue at other times and places, wherever we want.' These strikes were in retaliation for a drone attack last Sunday on the American base 'Tower 22' on the Jordan-Syria border, in which three American soldiers were killed and about 40 others injured. The Iraqi Kata'ib Hezbollah group, affiliated with the Iranian government, claimed responsibility for this attack. The U.S. Justice Department's action against the Islamic Republic's oil smuggling network and funding of the Revolutionary Guards, the U.S. effort to end the Gaza war; Antony Blinken is heading back to the Middle East, a U.S. State Department official stated: 'The actions of the Iranian regime's proxies complicate efforts to prevent the spread of conflict in the region.' A group of American lawmakers called for stricter enforcement of oil sanctions against the Iranian government. The U.S. blamed 'Islamic Resistance of Iraq' for the drone attack on its soldiers in Jordan; revenge is on the way.