A report reveals a 630% increase in Iran-linked attacks against the U.S. since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, escalating tensions in the Middle East as Iranian proxies retaliate against U.S. forces amidst a regional power struggle involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah.
Attacks against the United States from Iran-linked entities have surged dramatically, demonstrating a 630% escalation in hostile actions since the Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023. A report from the Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA), shared exclusively with Fox News Digital, outlines that malign actions, which encompass everything from projectile strikes to terrorist activities, have significantly escalated since the U.S.’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018. This trend has continued under both the Trump and Biden administrations, with intensified confrontations following the ongoing conflicts involving Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah. Between October 17 and now, Iran-affiliated groups in Iraq and Syria have launched at least 204 attacks on U.S. personnel, employing over 330 rockets, missiles, and drones. The situation further complicates as Israel has intensified its offensives against Hezbollah while preparing for possible actions against Iran, leading to increased retaliatory measures from Iranian proxies targeting U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria. The militia attacks in Syria were more than double the previous month, highlighting a troubling pattern of escalating violence in the region. JINSA analyst Ari Cicurel indicated that such aggressions are likely motivated by Tehran’s desire to exert pressure on Washington regarding its support for Israel. Operational security does not allow the Pentagon to comment on specific threats, although a defense official noted that past strategies focused on targeting U.S. forces instead of Israeli positions due to expected U.S. reactions being less severe. Prior to the Hamas invasion, Iranian-backed militants targeted U.S. forces, believing that it would result in lighter responses compared to those their own actions would invoke from Israel. However, following the recent conflict, these groups launched over 110 aerial attacks on Israel from Iraq alone in October. Experts predict that with Israel targeting and dismantling capabilities of Hamas and Hezbollah, Iran will increasingly leverage its proxies to engage Israel, particularly in Iraq and Syria, using its own manufactured weapons for these pursuits. Reports estimate that Iran directly utilized more than 320 ballistic missiles among numerous assaults on Israel this year amid heightened tensions, demonstrating the ongoing precariousness in U.S.-Iran relations and its implications abroad.
The increased hostilities against the U.S. by Iran-linked groups can be traced back to the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018, which resulted in a sustained uptick in malign activities. In recent months, following the Hamas attack on Israel, there has been a pronounced escalation in attacks aimed at U.S. personnel and assets in the region as Iran-backed actors respond to Israel’s military actions against their affiliates. The ongoing conflict continues to draw in various regional players, complicating the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. Moreover, JINSA’s report underscores a consistent trend of hostility fueled by the power dynamics following key events in the region, shaping both American and Israeli strategies towards Iran and its proxies.
In summary, the alarming rise of 630% in attacks against the U.S. by Iran-linked groups since the onset of the recent Israeli-Hamas conflict signifies a concerning shift in the Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape. As Iran continues to support militant proxies against U.S. interests, the potential for further exacerbation of hostilities looms large. This evolving situation necessitates a vigilant and strategic response from both U.S. assets in the region and international allies supporting stability and security.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
