Tehran-backed Groups Plan to Intensify Attacks Against American Forces in the Middle East

On Monday, October 23, CNN reported, citing several officials from the U.S. Departments of State and Defense, that the United States has information indicating that Tehran-backed militia groups are planning to intensify attacks against American forces in the Middle East. According to the report, a senior U.S. defense official stated that there is a significant prospect of escalating tensions against American forces in the short term, noting that the trail leads back to Iran. The unnamed American official added, "Iran provides financial, military, and training support to its militias and proxy forces in the region." He emphasized that the U.S. is preparing for the upcoming situation, including a decisive response. In this context, Patrick Ryder, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon), told reporters on Monday that although Washington does not have information indicating that the Iranian government has "explicitly ordered" the recent attacks on American forces, the groups responsible for these attacks are supported by the Islamic Republic. During the recent attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria, several American soldiers were injured, and an American contractor died of a heart attack while fleeing due to a false alarm at the "Ain al-Asad" airbase in Iraq. The Pentagon spokesperson stated, "Given that Iran supports them, we ultimately hold Iran accountable." He added that the al-Tanf base in Syria was targeted by two drones on Monday afternoon local time, which were shot down by American forces, and this attack resulted in no casualties. Among the militia groups supported by the Islamic Republic are Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and militia groups in Iraq such as Kata'ib Hezbollah. This support is provided through the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. However, Tehran denies providing financial and military support to its proxy groups. In this context, militia groups have previously attacked American forces in Iraq and Syria with rockets and recently with drones. According to the report, the U.S. has information suggesting that with the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, operations by these militia groups could escalate. An American official in the Middle East told CNN, "Red lights are flashing everywhere." John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, stated on Monday that there is a "very direct connection between these groups and the Revolutionary Guard," expressing serious concern about the possibility of significant escalation of these attacks in the coming days. In this context, a senior U.S. State Department official told CNN that the United States and its partners have a unified policy in sending a clear message to Iran: that it should not seek to exploit the situation. He emphasized that "if Tehran does this, it could have very serious consequences." This is not just a message from the United States; it is a joint message.