US ‘Will Not Hesitate’ to Take Action Against Iran for Attacks on Service Members

A soldier scans his sector of fire during a base defense exercise at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, on Jan. 2, 2020. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Derek Mustard/Public Domain/File)

The United States holds Iran responsible for several recent attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria, and in the Red Sea and retains the right to respond militarily to future attacks, according to the Pentagon.

“It’s not the first time we’ve seen these kinds of attacks, and as you know, in the past, we’ve decided to respond at a time [and] a place of our choosing, when and if we want to do that,” Pentagon spokesman Gen. Pat Ryder said during an Oct. 23 news briefing.

“I want to emphasize this: No one wants to see a wider regional conflict, but we will not hesitate to protect our forces.”

Gen. Ryder’s comments follow several attacks on U.S. and Coalition forces throughout the Middle East by proxy groups with extensive ties to the Iranian government. Those attacks have included the use of drones against allied facilities as well as four “land attack cruise missiles” launched from Yemen near a U.S. Navy vessel.

Iran is one of four nations that the United States currently designates as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Gen. Ryder said that there isn’t currently evidence to suggest that Tehran provided the groups responsible for the attacks with a “direct order” to attack U.S. troops.

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The regime’s materiel support for them, however, as well as its recent vow to escalate the Israel–Hamas War should the United States become involved, means that Iran bears responsibility, he said.

“We know that these groups are groups that are backed by Iran,” Gen. Ryder said.

“We don’t necessarily see that Iran has explicitly ordered them to take these kinds of attacks. That said, by virtue of the fact that they are supported by Iran, we will ultimately hold Iran responsible.”

Thus far, none of the attacks has resulted in major injury to U.S. forces. One defense contractor died of a cardiac event during one of the incidents, however.

Iran-Backed Groups Wield New Weapons

The Iranian proxies do appear to be equipped with new capabilities, such as the medium- to long-range cruise missiles launched over the Red Sea from Yemen on Oct. 19.

Gen. Ryder clarified on Oct. 23 that the USS Carney shot down four such missiles on Oct. 19, although the Pentagon initially reported only three.

Relatedly, the Pentagon has thus far refrained from saying that the attacks are directly related to the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks in Israel, although violence has surged across the Middle East since then.

Gen. Ryder said last week that the United States’ foremost goal in the region is to contain the Israel–Hamas War and protect U.S. forces.

“We will take all necessary actions to defend U.S. and Coalition forces against any threat,” he said.

“Any response [to Iran], should one occur, will come at a time and a manner of our choosing.”