Iran Calls US Retaliatory Strikes In Syria 'Terrorist Aggression'

Iran’s foreign ministry has condemned US retaliatory strikes on its proxy forces in Syria, labelling them as “terrorist aggression” against “civilian targets.”

Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani was quoted by the official news agency IRNA as saying, “The continuation of America’s illegal presence in, and occupation of parts of Syria, as well attacks against different targets in that country, are violations of international law and Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

The US military retaliated against drone and rocket attacks targeting its bases in northeastern Syria launched by proxy forces controlled by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, the IRGC, on Thursday and Friday.

The Pentagon and the Biden administration, while reiterating their determination to defend US personnel, emphasized that they were careful in their military strikes to minimize loss of any Iranian lives and collateral damage.

Kanaani referring to US support for “the fake Zionist regime” said, “US claims of maintaining a presence in Syria for fighting against the Islamic State group, which the US has a major role in its creation, is simply an excuse for occupation and pillaging Syria’s national wealth, including its energy resources.”

Tehran has been repeatedly alleging that the United States is “stealing oil” from Syrian oil fields close to its bases.

The spokesman also rejected US accusations as unfounded, implicitly referring to statements that attacks on US forces were launched by militias under Iranian command.

Earlier, Iran's security council warned the US against further attacks, stressing that any further strikes will be countered immediately.

Critics in the US have accused the Biden Administration of a meek response to Iranian-led attacks in Syria and Iraq. Since President Joe Biden assumed office there have been 80 such attacks and but only a few US retaliatory strikes.