US Plans Increased Strikes in Middle East Against Iran-Backed Groups, Reports Reuters

Title: U.S. Plans Additional Strikes Following Deaths of Troops

Date: WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States is preparing to conduct further military strikes following the deaths of three American service members at the hands of Iranian-backed militias last weekend, announced White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday.

Sullivan stated, "We intend to take additional strikes and further action to send a clear message that the United States will respond when our forces are attacked and when our people are killed," during an appearance on NBC’s "Meet the Press."

In response to escalating threats, the United States and Britain launched strikes against 36 Houthi targets in Yemen on Saturday, marking the second consecutive day of significant U.S. military operations targeting Iran-aligned groups after last weekend’s deadly incident in Jordan.

The Pentagon confirmed that Saturday’s strikes focused on 13 sites utilized by the Houthis to target shipping in the Red Sea. This came shortly after the U.S. executed an initial wave of retaliatory strikes on over 85 targets in Iraq and Syria associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its affiliated militias.

This series of attacks reflects the ongoing regional conflict that has intensified since October 7, when the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an assault on Israel from the Gaza Strip. This conflict has prompted Tehran-backed groups to engage in attacks against American and Israeli interests across various fronts.

Sullivan emphasized that the developments from Friday mark the beginning of a broader response rather than a conclusion, stating there will be further actions, some visible and others not. He clarified that he would not characterize the approach as an open-ended military campaign.