World waits as Joe Biden makes no secret of plan to attack Iran-backed groups
- US forgoes element of surprise as it lays out ‘multi-tiered’ response in coming days
- Washington has said it wants to avoid a regional war and direct conflict with Iran
US President Joe Biden is making no secret of his plans for multiple attacks on an Iran-backed group that killed three US soldiers last week, a strategy that’s exposed him to criticism he’s giving up the element of surprise.
The coming strikes have been the talk of Washington after Biden first warned on Sunday that the US would respond at a time and place of its choosing.
Based on hints from the White House, the consensus emerged that the US would attack Tehran-linked targets in Syria and Iraq but not hit Iranian territory.
There was also speculation the US would target an Iranian warship deployed in the Red Sea, the IRIS Alborz.
The signalling fits with Biden’s desire to send a message to Tehran, which the US accuses of funding groups that have launched dozens of attacks on American bases and personnel in the region.