loading…
Pentagon: US Not Seeking Escalation of Tensions with Iran PHOTO/Reuters
WASHINGTON – United States of America (US) is not seeking escalation of tensions with Iran , but will respond quickly and decisively if the safety of American personnel is threatened. This was disclosed by a Pentagon spokesperson, after airstrikes against Iranian-backed groups in eastern Syria.
“The strikes we conducted last night were intended to send a very clear message that we take protecting our personnel seriously and that we will respond quickly and decisively if they are threatened,” Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder told reporters at a news briefing.
He underlined that the US focus in the region is defeating Daesh (ISIS). “We are not seeking conflict with Iran,” Ryder continued, as quoted by Anadolu Agency, Friday (24/3/2023).
Ryder confirmed that the US base in Syria was hit a second time on Friday, with 10 rockets fired at Green Village in northeastern Syria at around 8:05 a.m. local time.
“The attack resulted in no injury to US or coalition personnel and no damage to equipment or facilities,” it said.
“Our current assessment is that this rocket attack was carried out by a group affiliated with the IRGC (Iran’s Revolutionary Guards) that this rocket attack was carried out in an attempt to avenge last night’s attack,” he added.
When asked if the US planned to respond to the attack, Ryder said: “I would not talk about or preview potential future operations other than to say, we will always reserve the right to respond appropriately if our forces are threatened.”
The US carried out airstrikes Thursday against Iran-backed groups in eastern Syria in response to a drone strike that killed an American contractor and injured five service members along with other contractors.
(esn)
