After the deaths of 19 Americans in US-led attacks on Syria, an Iranian security spokesperson warned that strikes on Iranian-linked bases would be met with an “immediate response.”

Keyvan Khosravi made these remarks after the US launched a series of strikes in the east of Iran in one of the most deadly exchanges between American-aligned forces for years.

The strikes were in response to a drone attack on Thursday which left one American contractor killed and another injured along with five US soldiers.

Washington claimed that the attack was by Iran.

Advertisement

Officials said that another US serviceman was injured in a series of tit for tat strikes that followed. Local sources also claimed that suspected rocket fire from the US hit additional locations in eastern Syria.

According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, three Syrian soldiers were killed in air strikes on pro-Iran facilities, eleven pro-government militia fighters, and five non-Syrian fighters aligned with government forces.

Rami Abdel Rahman, the monitor’s chief, could not identify the nationalities of the foreigners.

Iran claims its forces and allied fighters have been in Syria at Damascus’ request and considers the US forces occupiers.

Continue reading: Iran’s secret supply of weapons to Russia

The lasting legacy of America’s invasion of Iraq

The spokesperson for Iran’s top security agency, Mr Khosravi was quoted as saying by Nournews: “Any excuse to attack bases built at the request Syrian government to deal terrorist and Islamic State elements within this country will be met immediately with a counter-response.”

This comes just days after President Joe Biden warned Iran that the United States would “act forcefully to protect its citizens.”

Iran was a key backer of President Bashar al Assad in the 12-year conflict in Syria.

Iran’s proxy militias include Hezbollah, the Lebanese group, and pro-Tehran Iraqi organizations.

Southern and northern Syria, as well as in the suburbs surrounding the capital.

The Iranian government’s increasing influence in Syria has attracted regular Israeli air strikes, but American aerial attacks are rarer.

The US has raised alarm over Iran’s drone program.