White House: We Will Respond to Attacks by the Islamic Republic and Its Proxy Groups

Jake Sullivan, the National Security Advisor of the White House, stated in an interview with ABC News aired on Sunday, November 7, that the United States will continue to respond to attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxy groups. In response to a question about the attacks by the Islamic Republic and its affiliated militias on American soldiers stationed in the Middle East, he reiterated that, as President Joe Biden has previously stated, 'we will respond to the attacks by the Islamic Republic and its proxy groups.' Sullivan noted that he believes Iranian officials understand the United States' message regarding this matter and 'of course, we are taking all necessary actions to protect our forces, increase our vigilance, and cooperate with other countries in the region to prevent the current conflict between Israel and [Palestinian militants in] Gaza from escalating into a regional conflict.' This senior Biden administration diplomat added, 'But the threat is real, and therefore, vigilance is high, and our steps to deter it and prevent [its occurrence] are serious, systematic, and ongoing.' Following Jake Sullivan, retired U.S. Army General Robert Abrams expressed confidence that the United States is taking all necessary actions to defend its forces in the region. Regarding the readiness level of U.S. forces in the area, he added, 'I am very confident that they have a list of potential [targeted] objectives and can take all necessary actions to defend themselves.' This retired general, who has served in Afghanistan and Iraq, expressed hope that the Islamic Republic and its proxy forces do not escalate attacks on American soldiers 'to a higher level' and continue their provocative actions, as otherwise, the U.S. will take all necessary actions to defend its soldiers. Amid rising threats against American soldiers in the Middle East, the U.S. military has reported increased monitoring and surveillance in the region. Reuters reported on Tuesday, November 2, that the U.S. military may evacuate the families of military personnel from the region if necessary. Military officials, who requested anonymity, stated that these actions include increasing military patrols, restricting access to facilities and bases, and gathering more intelligence, including through drones and other surveillance operations. According to these officials, the U.S. military will also increase monitoring from watchtowers over its military facilities, enhance security measures at base entry points, and conduct more operations to counter drones, rockets, and missiles. General Michael 'Eric' Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, stated in a statement to Reuters, 'With the increase in the number of attacks and attempts to target U.S. military bases, continuous review of our force protection measures is critical.' Kurilla, who oversees U.S. forces in the Middle East, said that the steps taken so far to enhance the protection of forces and deploy additional U.S. military equipment in the region in recent days have 'prevented more serious casualties among our forces on the ground.' According to officials, since October 7 and the onset of the Hamas-Israel war in Gaza, U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria have been targeted multiple times. These attacks have resulted in injuries to four U.S. soldiers and five military contractors. In recent days off the coast of Yemen, an American warship shot down over 12 drones and four cruise missiles launched by Iranian-backed Houthis. With escalating tensions, American personnel are on permanent standby. During a false alarm two weeks ago at Al Asad Airbase in Iraq, a civilian contractor died of cardiac arrest. A U.S. military official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters, 'We are continuously assessing, and if we believe the threat reaches a level that endangers the families of our personnel in the region, we will exercise caution instead of taking risks.' He did not specifically mention factors that could lead to the evacuation of military families. Some of these families are stationed at bases in Bahrain – the location of the U.S. Fifth Fleet. Senior Biden administration officials, including Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, have warned about the heightened risk of attacks on U.S. forces in the Middle East and the possibility that Iran seeks to escalate the war between Israel and Hamas. A senior Defense Department official told Pentagon reporters last Monday, 'We see a potential for much more significant escalations against U.S. forces and personnel in the short term, and I want to make it clear that the head of this string leads to Iran.' Austin has ordered the deployment of new air defense systems to protect U.S. forces in the Middle East, which includes a 'high-altitude air defense system.' The U.S. has also sent several warships and fighter jets – including two aircraft carriers – to the region as a deterrent against the Islamic Republic and its supported groups. The Pentagon states that it has not seen direct orders from senior Iranian officials to carry out these attacks. However, John Kirby, the White House spokesperson, stated that it is clear that Iran facilitates such attacks. Kirby said on Monday, 'We know that Iran is closely monitoring these events, and in some cases actively facilitates such attacks and encourages others who may want to exploit the Hamas-Israel war for their own benefit and for Iran.' Iranian security officials told Reuters that Iran's strategy is for proxy forces in the Middle East, like Hezbollah, to carry out limited attacks on targets in Israel and U.S. bases, but to avoid escalating tensions that could involve Tehran.