US retaliatory strikes hit Iran-linked targets in Syria, Iraq

The U.S. military launched retaliatory air strikes against Iranian forces and Tehran-backed militia groups in both Iraq and Syria on Friday, following a recent drone attack that killed three American soldiers at a remote base in Jordan.

The extensive air attacks were ordered in response to the deaths of the soldiers last Sunday in a drone strike blamed by Washington on Iran-backed forces.

"Our response began today. It will continue at times and places of our choosing," U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement.

"The United States does not seek conflict in the Middle East or anywhere else in the world. But let all those who might seek to do us harm know this: If you harm an American, we will respond," he added.

Both Washington and Tehran have sought to avoid an all-out war. The United States is keen to deter further attacks while avoiding direct conflict with Iran and none of the initial attacks struck Iranian territory.

The strikes targeted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Quds Force as well as "affiliated militia groups," with American forces hitting "more than 85 targets, with numerous aircraft to include long-range bombers flown from United States," the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

"The airstrikes employed more than 125 precision munitions," CENTCOM said, adding that the targets included command and control and intelligence centers as well as rocket, missile and drone storage facilities belonging to militia groups and Iranian forces "who facilitated attacks against U.S. and coalition forces."

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said strikes in eastern Syria killed "at least 18 pro-Iran fighters."

The monitoring group told AFP that at least 26 important sites...