Why the US airstrikes on Iran-backed targets matter
On Friday night, the US launched a series of airstrikes on more than 85 targets in Iraq and Syria, belonging to Iran-backed militias that the US blames for a deadly drone attack on a US base in Jordan last Sunday. The strikes, which involved B-1 bombers and drones, were the largest and most significant US military action against Iran’s proxies in the region, and they have important implications for the future of US-Iran relations and the stability of the Middle East.
The B-1 bombers: A show of force and flexibility
One of the most notable aspects of the US airstrikes was the use of B-1 bombers, a supersonic, variable-sweep wing, heavy bomber that can carry a large payload of weapons and fly at low altitudes to avoid detection. The B-1 bombers flew from the US territory, demonstrating the US’s ability to project power across long distances and strike targets with precision and stealth. The B-1 bombers also launched stand-off weapons, such as the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), which can hit targets from hundreds of miles away with minimal risk of interception or collateral damage.
The B-1 bombers are a flexible and versatile platform that can adapt to different missions and scenarios, such as conventional or nuclear warfare, close air support, or interdiction. They have been used in several conflicts in the Middle East, such as Operation Desert Fox in 1998, Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, and Operation Inherent Resolve since 2014, where they have targeted Islamic State militants, weapons depots, and command and control centers. The B-1 bombers are also a powerful and visible symbol of US military might and deterrence, especially in the face of Iran’s growing influence and capabilities in the region.
The strategic and political implications: A message to Iran and its proxies
The US airstrikes were not only a military response to the drone attack that killed three US soldiers in Jordan, but also a strategic and political message to Iran and its proxies that the US will not tolerate attacks on its troops and interests in the region. The US has accused Iran of providing support, training, and weapons to various militia groups in Iraq and Syria, such as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, Kataib Hezbollah, and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, which have launched rockets, mortars, and drones at US bases, personnel, and allies in recent years.
The US airstrikes were also a response to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, which has increased tensions and violence in the Middle East. Iran has been a staunch supporter of Hamas and other Palestinian factions, and has supplied them with rockets, money, and political backing. Iran has also condemned the US for its unwavering support of Israel, and has called for the liberation of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Jewish state.
The US airstrikes were a demonstration of the US’s resolve and capability to defend itself and its allies, and to counter Iran’s malign activities and ambitions in the region. They were also part of a multi-tiered approach that includes diplomacy, sanctions, and military options. The US is not seeking a war with Iran, but is prepared to act if necessary. The US hopes that the airstrikes will deter further attacks by Iran and its proxies, and will create an incentive for Iran to return to the negotiating table and comply with the 2015 nuclear deal, which the US withdrew from in 2018 and which Iran has violated since 2019.
The challenges and risks: A fragile situation and a potential escalation
While the US airstrikes were intended to be a measured and proportionate response to the drone attack, they also pose significant challenges and risks for the future of US-Iran relations and the stability of the Middle East. The airstrikes could provoke retaliation from Iran and its proxies, who have vowed to avenge the deaths of their fighters and to continue their resistance against the US and Israel. Iran and its proxies have a range of options to strike back, such as launching more rockets, drones, or missiles at US targets, attacking US allies and partners in the region, such as Saudi Arabia, Israel, or Iraq, or activating sleeper cells and proxies in other parts of the world, such as Lebanon, Yemen, or Afghanistan.
The airstrikes could also complicate the diplomatic efforts to revive the nuclear deal, which have been stalled since June 2021, when Iran elected a hardline president, Ebrahim Raisi, who has taken a more defiant and demanding stance towards the US and the other parties to the agreement. The US and Iran have been engaged in indirect talks in Vienna, Austria, since April 2021, but have not reached a breakthrough on how to restore mutual compliance and lift sanctions. The US has insisted that Iran must return to full compliance with the deal before any sanctions relief, while Iran has demanded that the US must lift all sanctions imposed by the Trump administration before any nuclear concessions.
