The U.S. military began striking targets associated with Iran-backed militants responsible for the deaths of three U.S. soldiers in Jordan.
The strikes targeted 85 targets at three facilities in Iraq and four in Syria, including command and control headquarters, ammunition storage, and other facilities.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on a call with reporters that the targets were “carefully chosen facilities that we knew were involved in used by the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and these militant groups in attacks against US personnel.”
He also made it clear that the strikes were not intended to spark a conflict with Iran, who backs the groups that have targeted U.S. troops in the region over 160 times since October before killing three and injuring dozens this week.
“We do not seek a conflict with Iran. These targets were chosen as we said to degrade and disrupt the capabilities of the [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] and the groups that they sponsor and support,” Kirby said.
