U.S. troops serving in the Middle East are facing a renewed threat of attacks by Iran and its proxies following an airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Syria. Lt. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, a top U.S. Air Force commander, expressed concern that the strike, believed to be carried out by Israel, could lead to renewed attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria. The U.S. had previously suffered over 150 attacks in the months following October 7, but these slowed after three American troops were killed in January.
While the U.S. has insisted to Iran that it was not involved in the strike in Syria, Iranian officials have claimed the U.S. shares responsibility for the attack alongside Israel. Israel has not confirmed its involvement in the strike, but evidence suggests it was an Israeli operation. Iranian officials have threatened swift retaliation for the attack, likely through terrorist proxies such as Hamas, the Houthis, and Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has vowed to seek “punishment and revenge” for the attack, referring to those killed in the strike as “martyrs.”
Yigal Carmon, a former adviser to Israeli prime ministers on counterterrorism and the founder of the Middle East Media Research Institute, believes Iranian Supreme Leader’s policies reflect cowardice. Carmon suggests that Iran escalates when it perceives fear from the other side and backs down when faced with deterrence. Israel’s attack on an official Iranian government target in Damascus may be seen as a message to Iran that it is prepared to engage directly in conflict, rather than through proxies in Gaza and Lebanon. This escalation serves as a warning to Iran that Israel is ready for battle.
Attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq and Syria slowed only after the Biden administration ordered a series of strikes against Iran-allied targets in response to the killing of three U.S. soldiers in Jordan earlier this year. The potential threat to U.S. forces in the region remains high, with Iranian officials and their proxies vowing retaliation for the strike on Iran’s consulate in Syria. While the U.S. has denied involvement, Iran holds the U.S. accountable along with Israel for the attack. As tensions escalate in the region, the situation remains volatile, with the possibility of further attacks on American troops and interests.
