Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said the strikes would make the U.S. more entangled in the region than ever before. The U.S. strikes hit two towns, Akashat and al-Qaim, in western Iraq near the border with Syria, the spokesman said. Still, the U.S. attack on Friday appeared calibrated to ensure the war in Gaza doesn’t expand around the Middle East and drag Washington into a regional conflict with Iran. The attacks by militias in Iraq and Syria now exceed 165 strikes with rockets, missiles, drones or mortars. Hamas said the U.S. action threatened the security of Syria and Iraq and covered up for Israel’s operation in Gaza and the deaths of Palestinians.

Source: Wall Street Journal February 03, 2024 13:22 UTC