The U.S. Responds with Strikes on Iran's Proxies in Iraq and Syria

After around 20 attacks this year against U.S. bases in Iraq carried out by Iranian funded and directed militias, one American contractor was killed and four wounded last Friday during a rocket attack on K-1. The Trump administration warned of consequences if there were American fatalities.

In response, the U.S. conducted "precision defensive strikes against five Kataib Hezbollah facilities in Iraq and Syria that will degrade Kataib Hezbollah's ability to conduct future attacks," according to a statement from Assistant Secretary of Defense Jonathan Hoffman. It was the first time the U.S. struck Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, despite many attacks on U.S. troops by Iranian-backed groups.

In short, President Trump has been vigilant and patient—Iran should not have confused that restraint with weakness. After so many attacks, which have now resulted in an American contractor killed and service members wounded, President Trump directed U.S. armed forces to respond in a way the Iranian regime will understand.

Matthew RJ Brodsky joins Mohammad Khatib on Sky News Arabia to discuss the fallout from Iranian escalation in Iraq and America's defensive reprisal.

أثارت الضربة الأميركية الأخيرة على مقر اللواء 45 التابع لميليشيا حزب الله في مدينة القائم العراقية ردود أفعال عدة. فمع إعلان ارتفاع عدد من سقطوا جراء الضربة إلى 28 قتيلاً و50 جريحاً، تعالت أصوات في العراق تندد بالضربة وتعتبرها انتهاكاً للسيادة العراقية. إيران وكما هو متوقع أدانت الضربة الأميركية التي استهدفت إحدى الميليشيات المدعومة منها. ثم دخلت روسيا على الخط واعتبرت الضربة على لسان وزير خارجيتها مخالفة للقانون الدولي. أمام كل هذا كيف ترد واشنطن؟ وكيف تبرر ضربتها في هذا التوقيت؟