Iran-US Strain: Repercussions of Israel’s Occupation in the Region
GHRTV
10-02-2024
Naira ElTonsy
Middle East and Human Rights Researcher
Global Human Rights Defence
Decades have passed, during which Iran and the United States (“the US”) have engaged in a shadow war through the heart of the Middle East, abiding by an unspoken pact: strike us, and we’ll strike back, with equal force if not more. [1] However, amid Israel’s offensive occupation of the Gaza Strip, tensions between both states have drastically reignited, threatening the region’s stability. [2] As a result of the US’s unconditional support to Israel, assaults have been carried out by Iran-supported factions throughout the region, targeting American commercial vessels, tankers, and bases. [3]
Last Friday, US military forces initiated a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian-backed fighters in Iraq and Syria in response to a drone attack on Jordan’s Tower 22, which claimed the lives of three American soldiers. [4] Iran has denied responsibility for the Jordan attack, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson claimed that “the attacks merely support the goals of a Zionist regime. Such attacks increasingly involve the US government in the region and overshadow the crimes of the Zionist regime in Gaza”. [5] He added that “the roots of the tension and crisis in the region go back to the occupation by the Israeli regime and the continuation of this regime’s military occupation in Gaza and the genocide of the Palestinians with the unlimited support of the US”. [6] The US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, warned that recent strikes on Iranian-backed factions in Iraq and Syria were only “the beginning, not the end”. [7] Despite Iran’s assertion that they are not seeking war, they are not intimidated by it either, and their Foreign Minister has called upon the US to seek a diplomatic solution instead of perpetuating a cycle of threats and allegations. [8]
On Wednesday, a high-ranking official of Iran-affiliated militia was assassinated in a targeted US strike in Baghdad. [9] The leader of Katib Hezbollah, along with two accompanying guards, perished when their vehicle was struck in the eastern part of the Iraqi capital, following the attribution of the militia to the drone strike in Jordan. [10]
The recent drone strikes on a remote outpost in Jordan serve as a stark reminder for the US of the inherent risks associated with maintaining forward-deployed forces across the globe (approximately 2500 troops in Iraq and 900 troops in Syria), mostly without a clear mission. [11] Each of these military personnel represents a potential target, heightening the possibility of future conflicts. As for Iran, the ongoing retaliation by the US highlights the dangers associated with supporting proxy militias on multiple fronts, over which Tehran may have limited control, if any at all. [12] While Iran has thus far managed to avoid direct attacks on its own soil, President Biden’s indication of continued retaliation means Tehran could find its fate determined by the actions of militia leaders in Iraq or Syria if further American casualties occur. [13] Both nations find themselves teetering on a precarious edge, with events poised to escalate rapidly at the slightest provocation.
US officials have chosen to support Israel unconditionally in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of over 28,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. The US refrains from mentioning the effects of the Gaza war on the recent escalation of tension with Iran, despite its key link to the series of more than 150 attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria since October 7th. [14] The US’s retaliatory actions come as no surprise, and if it aims to avoid escalation and potential conflict with Iran, addressing the situation in Gaza is paramount. [15] Washington has been criticised for its lack of substantial efforts to broker a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, as doing so could alleviate regional tension and dismantle ongoing escalations, which are likely to persist otherwise. [16]
Sources and Further Reading
[1] David S. Cloud, The Wall Street Journal, (2024, February 1), ‘Shadow War With Iran Risks Turning Into a Direct Conflict’ <Shadow War With Iran Risks Turning Into a Direct Conflict - WSJ> accessed 10 February 2024.
[2] Marc Espanol, El País, (2023, December 5), ‘US-Iran tensions escalate in the shadow of Gaza war’ <US-Iran tensions escalate in the shadow of Gaza war | International | EL PAÍS English> accessed 10 February 2024.
[3] Ibid.
[4] AlJazeera, (2024, February 3), ‘ ‘Strategic error’: Iran condemns US attacks on Iraq, Syria’ <‘Strategic error’: Iran condemns US attacks on Iraq, Syria | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera> accessed 10 February 2024.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Financial Times, (2024, February 4), ‘US says strikes against Iran-backed militias are ‘beginning, not the end’’ <US says strikes against Iran-backed militias are ‘beginning, not the end’> accessed 10 February 2024.
[8] Kersten Knipp, DW, (2024, February 7), ‘Iran-US: No war for now, but no peace, either’ <Iran-US: No war for now, but no peace, either – DW – 02/07/2024> accessed 10 February 2024.
[9] Orla Guerin & Hugo Bachega, BBC, (2024, February 9), ‘US drone strike kills Iran-backed militia leader in Baghdad’ <US drone strike kills Iran-backed militia leader in Baghdad> accessed 10 February 2024.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Chas Danner, Intelligencer, (2024, February 4), ‘Are the U.S. and Iran Inching Toward War?’ <Are the U.S. and Iran Inching Toward War?> accessed 10 February 2024.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid.
[14] AlJazeera, (20214, February 3), ‘Iraq says 16 people, including civilians, killed in ‘new US aggression’’ <Iraq says 16 people, including civilians, killed in ‘new US aggression’ | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera> accessed 10 February 2024.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid.
