Colonel Joe Buccino, USCENTCOM Communication Director said in a statement: “At President Biden’s direction, U.S. military forces conducted precision airstrikes in Deir Ez-Zor Syria. These precision strikes are intended to defend and protect U.S. forces from attacks like the ones on August 15 against U.S. personnel by Iran-backed groups. The U.S. strikes targeted infrastructure facilities used by groups affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.”

Colonel Buccino said: “The strikes were necessary to protect and defend U.S. personnel. The United States took proportionate, deliberate action intended to limit the risk of escalation and minimize the risk of casualties.