Iran-Linked Rocket Strike Injures US Personnel in Iraq; Tensions Soar
At least five US personnel were injured early Monday in an attack on the al Asad airbase in western Iraq, according to US officials, as tensions in the Middle East escalate following the recent killings of key figures in Hamas and Hezbollah. Two Katyusha rockets struck the base, with one causing significant damage and injuries. The attack comes amid warnings from Iran of imminent retaliation for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week, a move Iran has blamed on Israel.
The US military is currently assessing the damage and monitoring the situation closely, with one American reportedly seriously injured. This incident is the latest in a series of attacks in the region as the conflict in Gaza threatens to spiral into a broader Middle Eastern war. In a call on Monday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant agreed that the attack represented a “dangerous escalation.”
The Pentagon has responded by increasing its military presence in the region, deploying additional fighter jets and naval warships to bolster defenses against potential Iranian and allied threats. The situation remains tense, with further developments anticipated as both the US and Israel prepare for possible retaliatory actions from Iran and its proxies.
