US President Joe Biden has escalated his rhetoric after US airstrikes in Syria in response to a deadly drone attack on a base that Washington blamed on Iran-linked militias, warning Tehran that there would be punishment for such incidents.
"The United States does not conflict with Iran. But be prepared for us to act forcefully to protect our people. That's exactly what happened last night.", Biden said at a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa.
A U.S. contractor was killed and five U.S. troops were wounded after a kamikaze drone struck a U.S.-led coalition base near the northeastern Syrian city of Hasakah around noon Thursday, the Defense Department said earlier, adding that the drone was revealed to be of Iranian origin.
Later that day, according to the Pentagon, US F-15 fighter jets carried out two airstrikes in Syria on facilities used by groups suspected of being linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The bombings were carried out on the orders of President Biden, the Pentagon added.
Shortly thereafter, ten missiles were fired at Green Village, a US military position in northeastern Syria. The attack, which resulted in no casualties or damage, was also blamed on Iran-backed militias by Washington.
