Reactions to US Attacks on IRGC Positions in Iraq and Syria Continue; Biden: Our Response Will Continue at Other Times and Places

Following the US military attacks early Saturday on some bases of Iran's proxy forces in Syria and Iraq, reactions to the strikes continue. In this context, the UK supported the US's right to respond to the killing of three of its soldiers. Australia also backed the attacks, and Poland's foreign minister described the strikes as a result of 'Iran's proxies playing with fire' that are now burning themselves. According to Reuters, a UK government spokesperson stated, emphasizing that 'the UK and the US are steadfast allies,' said, 'We do not comment on their operations, but we support their right to respond to attacks.' The spokesperson added that the UK has long condemned Iran's destabilizing activities across the region, including its political, financial, and military support for several militia groups. In this context, a spokesperson for the Australian Deputy Prime Minister also stated today that 'the intentions of the United States in carrying out these attacks are clear.' This spokesperson said, 'Australia condemns the attacks by Iran-backed militia groups on US forces in Jordan.' The spokesperson emphasized that 'the United States has explicitly stated that these attacks were carried out in response to the killing of American forces,' adding, 'We know that Iran has long been a malign actor in the region, including supporting Hamas and other terrorists.' Poland also stated that the US retaliatory attacks on Iranian-linked targets in Iraq and Syria were the result of 'playing with fire' by Iran's proxy forces. According to Reuters, Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland's foreign minister, told reporters upon arriving at a meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels, 'Iran's proxies have been playing with fire for months and years, and now that fire is burning them.' The US launched a series of airstrikes early Saturday local time against centers and bases of forces affiliated with the Islamic Republic and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria and Iraq, which, according to the US President, is the first phase of a series of attacks that will follow the killing of three American soldiers in Jordan. The US Central Command, CENTCOM, previously announced that Quds Force elements of the IRGC and affiliated militia groups in Iraq and Syria were targeted in airstrikes early Saturday, February 3, local time. According to this announcement, US forces targeted over 85 locations in these two countries with multiple aircraft, including long-range bombers that flew from the United States to the region. The US President also stated after the US military operations in Iraq and Syria, 'Today's attacks were carried out at my direction and will continue at other times and places, wherever we want.' Joe Biden said, 'On Friday afternoon, at my direction, US military forces struck targets and facilities in Iraq and Syria that the IRGC and its affiliated militias were using to attack US forces.' The US President added, 'The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world, but all those who seek to harm the people must know that if you harm an American, we will respond.' According to CENTCOM, more than 125 precision munitions were used in the early Saturday airstrikes, and facilities including command and control operations centers, intelligence centers, rocket and missile storage, drone storage, and logistics and ammunition supply facilities of the militia groups and IRGC supporters were destroyed. CENTCOM emphasized that the targeted centers were points that facilitated attacks against US and coalition forces. Meanwhile, AFP reported, citing the 'Syrian Observatory for Human Rights' based in London, that at least 18 Iran-backed militia members were killed in eastern Syria, with five of them killed in Deir ez-Zor. The National Security Council's strategic communications coordinator also stated on Friday, Washington time, after the US military operations in Iraq and Syria, 'The aim of these attacks is to reduce the offensive capability of hostile forces, and the response that began tonight will not end tonight.' John Kirby, who spoke at a press conference with reporters, also emphasized that the United States does not seek war and direct confrontation with the Islamic Republic, but will respond to any attack on US interests and forces. The US retaliatory attacks began hours after the bodies of three fallen American soldiers were returned to the United States. The US President and his wife, the US Secretary of Defense, and several other officials attended the ceremony for the arrival of the bodies of these soldiers at a military airport near the capital. The Associated Press earlier on Friday reported, citing a US official, that the United States had reinforced its defensive positions at the 'Tower 22' base in Jordan, which had been attacked by Iran-backed militants. CENTCOM: The IRGC and its proxies remain a direct threat to the region. Will the scope of the conflicts extend to Iran as well? Responses from Hossein Aryan, Babak Taghvaee, and Hossein Aghaei. Michael Pregent: Senior IRGC commanders should be targeted by US attacks. Hooshang Hassan-Yari: Attacks on proxy groups will not deter the Islamic Republic. US attacks on IRGC positions in Iraq and Syria; Biden: Our response will continue at other times and places. Australia's support for US 'retaliatory' attacks against Iran-affiliated militants. The Syrian army says US airstrikes caused 'significant damage.' The White House National Security Council: Airstrikes in Iraq and Syria were successful, but this is not the end. Reactions in the US to airstrikes in Syria and Iraq; lawmakers from both parties welcomed it.