The Vice President gave a stern warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader on Wednesday, saying that the United States would strike back if Iranian forces or their proxies attacked American troops in the Middle East.
Biden warned the Ayatollah that the United States would retaliate if the Iranian government continued to attack American troops during a press appearance at the White House with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. As such, he needs to be ready.
Given the recent start of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which has long received financial and logistical assistance from Tehran, the words are particularly ominous.
On October 7, Hamas militants launched a surprise onslaught from the Gaza Strip, killing over 1,200 people and kidnapping dozens more, while firing rockets into Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other major Israeli cities. Israel has responded by imposing a siege on Gaza and launching retaliation rockets, which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds.
The United States has publicly stated its intention to aid Israel in its quest to militarily defeat Hamas and terminate its nearly two decade long rule over the Gaza Strip. If Israel follows through with threats to invade and occupy the Gaza Strip, organisations backed by Tehran have threatened to strike U.S. military installations.
Attacks on bases in Iraq and Syria occurred over the course of several days last week. While fleeing a false alert at al-Asad air base in Iraq, an American contractor suffered a heart attack and died. On Thursday, a destroyer from the United States Navy patrolling the northern Red Sea shot down numerous missiles and drones fired by Iranian-backed rebels in Yemen. Despite the fact that several service members have sustained TBIs, everyone has successfully returned to duty.
Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Patrick Ryder told reporters on Monday that American forces at the al-Tanf base in southern Syria had shot down two drones that had been aimed at them. Soldiers suffered no losses. Given Iran’s history of funding for the groups in question, Ryder said on Monday that the Pentagon will consider Iran liable for the attacks against American forces.
