WASHINGTON - In a significant move, the U.S. military carried out airstrikes on more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria, targeting sites associated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) and its supported militias. The action was in response to last weekend's attack in Jordan, where three U.S. troops lost their lives.

President Joe Biden's administration initiated the strikes, employing long-range B-1 bombers from the U.S. This marks the first phase of a broader response to the attack by Iran-backed militants, with expectations of additional military operations in the coming days. While the strikes did not directly hit locations inside Iran, they signal a heightened escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict, extending beyond Israel's three-month conflict with Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza.

The U.S. military disclosed that the targets included command and control centers, rockets, missiles, drone storage facilities, as well as logistics and munition supply chain facilities. Notably, the strikes were executed with awareness of potential casualties among those present in the targeted facilities. Weather conditions played a crucial role in determining the timing of the operation.

Syrian state media reported casualties resulting from the "American aggression" on sites in desert areas and the Syrian-Iraqi border. The Iraqi military expressed concern, stating that the strikes in the border area could spark instability in the region, considering them a violation of Iraqi sovereignty.

Last weekend's attack in Jordan marked the first lethal strike against U.S. troops since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October. The U.S. attributes the attack to an Iranian-made drone. President Biden affirmed that the response had begun and would continue at chosen times and places.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned that the actions were the start of the response, emphasizing the administration's reluctance for war with Iran. Despite growing Republican pressure for a more forceful response, Austin reiterated that the U.S. does not seek conflict but will not tolerate attacks on American forces.

Before the retaliatory strikes, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi asserted that Iran would not initiate a war but would strongly respond to any attempts to bully the country. The Biden administration had not communicated with Iran since the Jordan attack, according to White House national security spokesman John Kirby.

The situation remains complex, with Iranian advisers supporting armed groups in Iraq and Syria, where U.S. troops are stationed. The region has witnessed over 160 attacks on U.S. troops since the onset of the conflict in October, involving actions by Iran-backed groups.

In Yemen, Houthi fighters have targeted ships in the Red Sea, claiming it as support for Palestinians against Israel. Meanwhile, discussions are underway between Baghdad and Washington to establish a committee for talks on the future of the U.S.-led military coalition in Iraq, aiming for a phased withdrawal of troops and the conclusion of the coalition against the Islamic State.

Kataib Hezbollah, held responsible by the U.S. for the Jordan attack, announced a pause in attacks on U.S. forces, while Nujaba, another Iran-backed Iraqi group, vowed to continue until the Gaza war ends and U.S. forces leave Iraq.