US approves plan to strike Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq, officials say

Plans for a series of strikes on Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq have been approved by the United States, according to officials who spoke to CBS News. The strikes are expected to unfold over several days, and the timing will depend on weather conditions.

This decision follows a drone attack near the Syrian border in Jordan on Sunday, resulting in the death of three US soldiers. The United States has said an Iranian-backed militia group called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq was behind the attack that killed the US soldiers. This group is believed to comprise multiple militias that have received support from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards force, including funding, training, and weaponry. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq has claimed responsibility for the Sunday strike.

Iran has denied any involvement in the attack, which caused injuries to 41 other US troops at the military base known as Tower 22. US officials have stated that intelligence suggests the drone used in the attack was manufactured by Iran and bears similarities to drones Iran has supplied to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.